UCI Granfondo Casablanca with very international field

The inaugural edition of the UCI Granfondo Casablanca with start and finish along the coastline has been very successful despite the late course changes, but the organizers have performed an amazing job making a last-minute change to a success.

All races had to be moved to Dar Bouazza, 20km south of the city in the same kind of setting as initially planned with a 25km time trial on Friday and a 58/116km road race on Sunday. Riders from 27 different nationalities signed up for one or both disciplines.

The time trial took place in 4 laps of 6.25km with 50 riders at the start. Overall fastest was British Benedict Disley in a time of 35:57, 10 seconds ahead of Belgian Maxim Pirard while Australian Jamie Anderson took third spot in 37:04. All three also won their respective age groups. The average speed of the winner was 41.7 km/h. Former World Champion Jessica Rhodes-Jones (GBR) was the fastest female in a time of 38:46 (38.7 km/h) beating Swedish Karolina Reinhold (41:23) and Helen Lambard (43:39).

The Granfondo on Sunday had some undulating roads but were never very steep. Females over 50 and males over 60 had one lap of 58km as official qualifier distance while all youngsters rode their qualification over two laps on the same course.

Overall fastest was reigning World Champion Maxim Pirard (BEL) who attacked after 4km in a 4-men break to finally go solo after 30km. He won 4 minutes ahead of his 3 companions in the break with Kacper Kistowski (POL), Jamie Anderson (AUS) and former World Champion Patrick Cocquyt (BEL).

French Dubau-Prevot was the fastest female in the long course. She beated Polish Agnieszka Spica in the sprint while Karolina Reinhold took third spot.

The short course was won in the age groups going for qualification by respectively Andrej Zavbi (SLO) and Helen Lambard (GBR).

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