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Zappi's Gran Fondo Online Entry To Close Sunday 9th

by Henry Peacock

The first ever Zappi’s Gran Fondo on the 16th September is just over a week away with online entries remaining open until midnight of Sunday 9th September. There are two routes available, a Medio Fondo at 100km and a tough 185km Gran Fondo route taking in some superb bits of Oxforshire.

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Flavio Zappi

The event is the brainchild of Italian Flavio Zappi a former professional rider in the 1980’s who forgot cycling for twenty years and moved to the UK. Now back in love with the sport he coaches young talent with the aim of producing a World Tour rider in five years. Zappi runs Zappi’s Pro Cycling, made up of under-23 riders who race both domestically and all over Europe. Zappi hopes to have his Academy up and running for next season where young riders can live, train and race together and become a tight knit ‘family’.

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A Younger Version (second from right)

Zappi also runs the Zappi’s Cycling Club, one of the friendliest and fastest growing clubs about with its heart at the Zappi’s Café Bike Zone, nestled in the bustling Spires of Oxford. The Zappi’s philosophy translates to all you would need to know about riding a bicycle and a bit of Italian flair and culture thrown in. There is even a prize at the event for the person judged to be dressed ‘most Italian’. What exactly this means is down to Zappi’s own rules and will be informally judged by Zappi and the end of the day. The Zappi brand of clothing and bicycles will be available on the day to have a look at should anyone be tempted to enter into the Zappi way of life.
The routes of the event head out to the North of Oxford from its headquarters inside the ringroad of Oxford and out into the Cotswolds. The longer route takes in Fish Hill, a serious climb with Alpine like sweeping bends.

There is fresh coffee, freshly cooked pizza, massages, a goody bag, chip timing, well stocked feedstations, free parking, two mechanics, photos by Sportive Photo and even a Go-Race event for 11-16 year olds to hone their skills all at the headquarters. The first 300 that signed up will receive a limited edition Zappis Gran Fondo cycling cap.

Entries are being done using the British Cycling online entry system. To enter click this link: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/79901/Zappi

To find out more about the Go-Race event: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/80082/Oxford-Open-League-Grass-Track-at-Zappi

For more information on the man himself, his cycling club visit the website: http://www.zappisgranfondo.com