Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan - July 10, 2011

[David Hill]

Okay, TSers! It's a long way off, so there's no excuses.... You'll be in my backyard (which is by the way, filled with vineyards)

October 20, 2010
To: News Editor/Assignment Editor/Sports Editor/City Editor/Photo Editor

Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan Media Advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan media briefing on October 21, 2010
City of Penticton to host inaugural mass-participation cycling event


October 20, 2010: Penticton, BC – Set for Sunday, July 10, 2011, centered out of beautiful Penticton, British Columbia, the Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan will welcome cyclists from British Columbia and around the world on a challenging ride that features the best terrain, views and hospitality that the Okanagan has to offer. Media are invited to attend an announcement by cycling star Axel Merckx (axelmerckx.com), and the Mayor of Penticton, His Worship Dan Ashton at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre (front lobby) on Thursday, October 21st at 10:30 a.m.

Organizers from 2011 Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan, and Penticton Mayor Dan Ashton will give a brief presentation about the event, with a Q&A session to follow. Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan participants will enjoy and be challenged by a course featuring roughly 150 kilometres of riding, and nearly 1,300 metres of climbing.

Who:
Axel Merckx – Belgian National Champion, Olympic Bronze Medalist and founder of the Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan
Jonathan Wornell – Event Director, Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan
His Worship – Penticton Mayor Dan Ashton

When: Thursday, October 21, 2010, 10:30 a.m.

Where: Penticton Trade and Convention Centre (main lobby)
273 Power Street
(250) 490-2460

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Media Contacts:
Jonathan Wornell (604) 836-9993 jwornell@telus.net

Andrew Jakubeit
Penticton City Councillor
c/o City Hall 171 Main St
Penticton, BC V2A 5A9
250-809-2397

[Marcus]

I'm interested. Keep us posted.

[Lister Farrar]

You might want to be careful of what's in the rest station food and drink. Axel was a client of infamous doping doc Ferrari (also Lance's doc). He was suppoenaed to appear at Ferrari's trial in Italy, but 'couldn't make it'.

http://www.bicyclingmag.com/news/pro-cy ... down-rider

Axel Merckx and Gianluca Bortolami, two other clients of Ferrari, failed to appear before the court although their presence was requested.

[wonger]

I think that this one is actually in competition with the RBC Whistler Gran Fondo group's attempt to create another event in Kelowna. According to their facebook page they are in Kelowna today seeking approvals to go ahead with a gran fondo there next year. Should be interesting to see how that goes. Gran Fondo's coming out the ears soon.

[Lister Farrar]

Yup. RBC GF open now, a week later.

July 16
http://www.cyclecomponentnetwork.com/event/show/1452

[sylvan]

Axelfondo registration open now.

http://www.cyclecomponentnetwork.com/event/show/1511

Only $400 for Classe Speciale! It'll be interesting to see the route. I figured it would/will be basically the Ironman Canada route without the out-and-back, but the Desert Half Ironman is scheduled on the same day, and its bike route runs Osoyoos to Cawston return. That would be a possible debacle running a mass bike race one way along that same route, so maybe something diffferent is planned, or maybe the Half Iron will change dates.

[Josh.E]

hmm...

this one has a giro class, the RBC kelowna doesn't seem to.