Thanks to Luke Way, head coach of Balance Point Racing, we’ve taken the guesswork out of training. We’re very proud to present the Official 2013 Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Training Program! We’ve put together complimentary, structured 10-week plans for each distance and skill level. To start your training the right away, visit: http://www.granfondoaxelmerckx.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2013-VFGFAMO-Official-Training-Plan.pdf

Happy training!

• Solvang, California
• Mallorca, Spain
• Boulder, Colarado
• Greenville, South Carolina

These are the places pro riders come to train each year, and now you can too! Designed specifically to help cyclists prepare for their cycling season, Ride Camps are focused on getting in those early base miles or are a perfect way to finish off a great riding year. Starting at just $899, each camp includes use of a Trek Domane 5.9 carbon bike, luxury accommodations and most meals.

And the best part, thanks to Trek Travel and for a limited time, all 2013 VFGFAMO participants are eligible to receive $100 off a Trek Travel Ride Camp. To learn more and to register, visit: http://www.trektravel.com/ride-camps.php. Mention the promo code “2013AGF” for your discount.

This summer the 3rd annual Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan will feature the inaugural Oakley King of the Mountain Challenge. Riders in the Cortofondo, Mediofondo and Granfondo will be able to challenge for the fastest climber award on the Peach Orchard Hill climb, approximately 25 km into the ride.

And the top male and female climbers in each 10-year age group will receive a limited edition Oakley Canada KOM Polka Dot Jersey, as well as a pair of custom Oakley RadarLock sunglasses.

Of course, we’re very thankful to Oakley Canada for their tremendous support. Our goal as always is to provide the best possible ride experience for all participants.

Note: Polka Dot jersey sizing is not guaranteed, but we’ll do our best!

Classe Speciale is priced at $500.00 (plus tax) and includes the following:

• Registration in the Cortofondo (55 km), Mediofondo (92 km) or Granfondo (160 km), including all the accompanying swag
• A pair of Custom Oakley RadarLock sunglasses ($355 retail value)
• Full VFGFAMO cycling kit including a jersey, shorts, and socks ($360 retail value)
• Saturday Evening (July 6^th) VIP reception with special guests, at the Poplar Grove Winery
• Front-of-pack starting line area
• VIP pre- and post-ride relaxation area with refreshments
• Complimentary VIP bag-check on day of event
• Express Package Pick-Up

Are you already registered for the event and want to upgrade to Classe Speciale?

No problem. Visit our Classe Speciale page for details on how you can turn your regular Cortofondo, Mediofondo, or Granfondo registration into a full Classe Speciale experience.

Finish area VIP tents are also available for Corporate Teams. For more information, e-mail: riderrelations@granfondoaxelmerckx.com.

Visit our Routes page for more information.

Sign-up for the free Prefondo is now open.

This BONUS event is open to a limited number of early VFGFAMO registrants, and provides you with a great kick-off to the riding season. You must be registered for the Cortofondo (55 km), Mediofondo (92 km) or Granfondo (160 km) in July to ride this spring’s Prefondo. And thanks to the Ramada Penticton, all VFGFAMO riders receive special rates. Visit our Prefondo page for all details.

Are you looking for that epic, last-minute Christmas gift for that special, spandex-wearing person in your life? Look no further.

Our online registration system now enables you to gift your favourite cyclist entry into the 2013 Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan (VFGFAMO). Choose from the Granfondo (160 km), Mediofondo (92 km) or Cortofondo (55 km). Best of all, you can take advantage of Early Bird prices now until the end of this month!

Here’s how it works:

1. Visit our online store, register your information, and pay. There will be a field to “gift” the registration to another person.
2. You will then receive an e-mail confirming the registration and purchase.
3. Within 24 hours of purchase, you will then receive an electronic Gift Certificate from VFGFAMO that you can stuff in the Christmas Stocking of your favourite cyclist. The Gift Certificate will include a Redemption Code that your lucky someone can then use to register as an official rider, at no cost to them!
4. Using that Redemption Code, the lucky cyclist then registers his/her information on our registration site by April 30, 2013. And then, of course, training is in order.

An iPad is great, but an entry into the cycling event of 2013 is what he/she really wants!

For 2013, Trek and SRAM return as sponsors (note: we’re more than excited!). Not only does this align us with some of the best brands in the business, but it allows us to provide you with special incentives to register early for the 2013 Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan.

In December, we’ll be giving away a new Trek Madone 5 Series with SRAM Force components and Bontrager wheels. Of course, there’s only one way to enter and one way only…register now for the cycling event of 2013 and you’ll be officially entered to win this amazing prize valued at more than $4950.00!

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October Oakley Giveaway Update: Last month, Calgary’s Jill Hager won a pair of custom Oakley Jawbone sunglasses – just by registering early for the 2013 VFGFAMO. Congrats, Jill!

On July 7th, 2013, the VFGFAMO returns to Penticton, B.C., Canada…bigger and better than ever!

This year, the 3nd annual VFGFAMO offers the same amazing event highlights with many new wrinkles, such as:

• The Cortofondo (55 km), Mediofondo (92 km) and Granfondo (160 km) distances all start and finish once again at Penticton’s legendary Gyro Park.
• New timed sections on the course that add a dash of excitement.
• The highly acclaimed Kid’s Piccolofondo race returns to Gyro Park.
• A new youth cycling criterium race runs on Granfondo Weekend, as part of the Axel Merckx Youth Development Foundation.
• The Granfondo Cycling Expo returns for a third year.
• New, exciting sponsors join the long list of returning partners.
• Top-quality on-course technical and nutritional support.

It’s now your chance to register early and secure your spot alongside legends of the sport. On July 7th, 2013, experience a European-style cycling event in the heart of the South Okanagan wine country.

To register, visit our ‘Registration’ page. See you on July 7^th, 2013!

Granfondo Axel Merckx delivers smiles and good times

2nd annual Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan comes to a successful close

Penticton, British Columbia, Canada – More than 2,500 riders braved 34°C heat in the South Okanagan to ride the second edition of the Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan on Sunday. The event – in its second year – hosted a record number of riders, many of whom crossed the finish line with smiles and exhausted looks on their face.

Trevor Gunderson from Calgary, Alberta won the finishing sprint to cross the line first overall in the Granfondo (160 km) division in a time of 4 hours and 12 minutes, while North Vancouver’s Ann Yew crossed the line in 4 hours and 27 minutes to become the first female finisher in the Granfondo category.

Five-time Tour de France winner and cycling legend, Eddy Merckx, completed the Mediofondo (92 km) route in a time of 2 hours and 54 minutes. Full results in the Cortofondo, Mediofondo and Granfondo categories are available online at:

http://www.raceheadquarters.com/results/rhqResultsOther.php?nYear=2012#jul

As the event comes to a successful close, extra non-perishable food and bottle refunds will be donated to the Feed the Valley initiative – a not-for-profit effort to end hunger in the Okanagan valley. As well, the event raised significant funds for the Axel Merckx Youth Development Foundation – a program develop Canada’s next great cyclists.

“I’m thrilled everyone had a great time under very hot conditions,” said Axel Merckx, who finished the Granfondo route in a time of 4 hours and 39 minutes. “The sponsors and volunteers supported this ride with absolute grace and generosity and for that we thank them.”

Registration for the 2013 event won’t open until this September. Organizers wish to also thank the residents and businesses of the South Okanagan, as well as Valley First and the City of Penticton for their tremendous support.

• A full media briefing document is available for download at:

  http://www.granfondoaxelmerckx.com/media

For more information, contact:

Jason Curran

Tel: 778-476-7712

E-mail: jason@granfondoaxelmerckx.com

Web: www.granfondoaxelmerckx.com