Gran Fondo New York in Lourdes: between 400 and 500 runners expected this Sunday

Mohamed Dilmi, deputy mayor in charge of sports, answers questions from La Dépêche du Midi to present the Gran Fondo New-York (GFNY), which is being held in Lourdes this Sunday.

Can you tell us about this event?

Lourdes will host for the first time a French stage of the GFNY world circuit. Between 400 and 500 runners are expected in front of the Palais des Congrès to take the start of this new cycling event. It will offer a route with postcard landscapes, crossing magnificent and mythical roads of the Hautes-Pyrénées, between valleys, mountains, towns and villages. Two routes are offered. One, timed, of 157.1 km and 4,064 m of elevation. It will notably pass through the Aspin and Tourmalet passes. The second course, non-competitive, is centered on the Col du Tourmalet. For this second course, the runners will receive their arrival time but will not be classified. Both routes end in Lourdes.

Why host this event?

It is a high quality race, which illustrates both the taste for effort and the perseverance of the athletes, but also their courage and their passion. It allows self-transcendence and strengthens family or friendly ties when it is lived together. It is also a race that offers great visibility to the city, since it brings together 95 countries. It’s unique. The only stage that has already taken place in France took place in the Alps. The 400 to 500 people welcomed will buy from local businesses and shops. They are participants with significant purchasing power. According to GFNY estimates, they have a daily budget of €150-300. It is not negligible.

Where do the participants come from?

Many teams come from Europe: from Italy, Spain, Belgium… We are pleasantly surprised by the number of runners, coming out of the Covid crisis. Seeing that there are so many participants is reassuring for the future, because it is a contract for three years. After these confinements, while there is war in Ukraine, it is a beautiful event that reminds us of the values ​​of solidarity of which sport is a vector.

One last word ?

The collaboration of the tourist office was very valuable. This meeting is one of the many annual cycling events, including the Tour de France, the women’s Tour, the night race… The town hall of Lourdes is committed to promoting sport and through these events, the city in herself. I would also like to thank all the services of the municipality and all the partners for their close collaboration. I also ask the residents of Lourdes who wish to be volunteers to secure the courses of the runners. They are welcome and can contact the city’s sports department.

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