Win GFNY, race Pro

February 12, 2025

The overall champions of the upcoming GFNYs will race pro as Team GFNY Pro at the GP New York City on May 18

NEW YORK CITY, February 12, 2025 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The champions of the upcoming GFNYs get to race the UCI pro race Gran Premio New York City on May 18, 2025 which will commence just ten minutes before the 13th Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship NYC, a mass participation race held on the same course.

Team GFNY Pro

Team GFNY Pro will consist of the overall champions of the GFNYs Bali, República Dominicana, Punta del Este, Cannes, Toscana-Pistoia, Miami, Bento Gonçalves and Zapopan-Guadalajara. The team will race against some of the best riders and teams in the world and get to challenge themselves at the highest level of the sport.

“GFNY is making dreams come true in this once in a lifetime chance to experience something that money can’t buy,” says GFNY CEO Uli Fluhme. “The riders get to make memories of a lifetime and will have stories for grandchildren when they attacked Team Lotto and Alpecin at Alpine.”

A revolutionary format in cycling

GFNY introduced this groundbreaking format in 2024, simultaneously integrating professional and mass-participation cycling on the same course. This innovative approach, common in running and triathlon events, breaks new ground in cycling.

On May 18, 120 professional riders from 20 teams will start 10 minutes ahead of thousands of amateurs. The race begins on the traffic-free lower level of the iconic George Washington Bridge, the world’s busiest bridge. Both pros and amateurs tackle the same 137-kilometer (85-mile) loop through Bergen County, NJ, and Rockland County, NY, featuring 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) of climbing.

This format connects fans with their heroes by featuring professionals racing on the same roads as amateurs just moments apart. It elevates the event experience for riders, engages spectators, and provides increased visibility and value for sponsors.

GFNY CEO Uli Fluhme adds: “Creating Team GFNY Pro out of the overall champions at GFNY races furthers the idea to one day fully integrate pro cycling and amateur cycling. While certain key races like the Tour or Giro will always remain exclusive to the top level teams, there is no reason that other races couldn’t offer one mass start for pros and amateurs alike.”

A Women’s Pro Race: A Logical Next Step

Adding a women’s pro race would elevate the GP NYC further and also give the female GFNY race champions a chance to get a taste of pro racing as they compete together as Team GFNY Pro. The proposed format would have women starting an hour ahead of the men’s pro race, giving them their own stage. However, the extended road closures required for this addition increase costs by $100,000.

For those interested in supporting women’s racing, GFNY is inviting companies and organizations to help sponsor this important addition. Contact GFNY to discuss partnership opportunities.

About GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series

GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is a sports event company with three decades of experience in racing, planning and organizing events. The global endurance sports brand hosts multiple events throughout the year around the world on five continents.

Working with partners around the world to deliver a first-class experience, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series puts its athletes first.

The official GFNY website is: gfny.com.

Cycling – Mass Participation

Dozens of races held around the world. View the latest calendar here.

Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.

Top 10% (20% at regional championships) of finishers in each age group qualify for the Elite Qualifier Corral at every GFNY event.

Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship NYC

The 13th annual Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 18, 2025. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. It is so international that it’s often described as the United Nations of cycling. Athletes take on a challenging route to compete against each other, the clock, and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.

The official Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship NYC website is NYC.GFNY.COM.

Cycling – Pro Racing

At Gran Premio New York City, professional teams race the same course as riders at the Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship NYC – but with a 10-minute head start. The second edition will be held on May 18, 2025 and aims to be at 1.1 level with World Tour teams racing.

The official Gran Premio New York City website is GP.GFNY.COM.

Further Material for Media Use

GFNY Press Images: here

GFNY Results: here

GFNY World calendar graphic: here

Previous GFNY press releases: here

Media Contact

Gran Fondo New York Inc.

Uli Fluhme, uli@gfny.com

Caroline Lindsay, caroline@gfny.com