Colnago Gran Fondo National Series and RGT Launch 9-Event E-Fondo Series

(Gettysburg, PA – January 20, 2021) – The Colnago Gran Fondo National Series today announced a partnership with indoor cycling simulator RGT and the upcoming launch of the first 9-event E-Fondo Series. Leveraging their innovative “Magic Roads” feature to recreate all 9 of GFNS’s real-world courses in a virtual environment, RGT went even further to integrate GFNS’s signature timed section competition format for the first time. The E-Fondo Series will run from February 7, 2021 through March 7, 2021 with multiple opportunities for riders to compete on each course, and the opportunity to qualify for the 2021 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship event in Asheville, North Carolina on July 18, 2021.

Colnago Gran Fondo National Series Event Director, Reuben Kline, chose to create the first E-Fondo Series with RGT because of the simulator’s focus on realistic rider dynamics. In a head-to-head comparison with Zwift, cycling website Cyclingnews.com noted RGT “is more realistic… thanks to its in-game physics that, in addition to drafting, also include cornering and bunch positioning.” 

Kline added, “We wanted the indoor and outdoor experiences on GFNS courses to be as similar as possible, and realistic in-game physics is what RGT does best. They were also excited to integrate our timed-section competition format, complete with on-screen graphics and tracking rider results over multiple events.

The schedule of events will be released on January 25 and is expected to offer both weekday and weekend opportunities for riders to compete on each course. “The E-Fondo Series is open to riders around the world, so we are providing dates and start times to accommodate a wide range of time zones,” said Kline.

Riders who register for and compete in the GFNS E-Fondo Series are eligible to earn age group and overall podium awards for individual events as well as the cumulative series. Riders will also be automatically entered in GFNS Prize Raffles for chances to win products from series sponsors.