Port Douglas Gran Fondo returns for third year, promising spectacular scenery and boost for the region

CYLING EVENT

Jake Black

Reporter

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The Port Douglas Gran Fondo returns for its third year on September 8. Picture: Gran Fondo Port Douglas

The Port Douglas Gran Fondo is back in action for its third straight year with the main event to be held on Sunday 8 September. This event is set to attract participants from far and wide, and of all ages with over 50 riders aged 70 and over set to participate. 

The Gran Fondo is a 100 kilometre long ride starting in Port Douglas, going along the beautiful Captain Cook Highway, to the picturesque Palm Cove and wrapping up in Port Douglas.

Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said she is looking forward to another great event for the region.

“Many of our residents drive the highway on a daily basis but they don’t always have the chance to take their time and appreciate this beautiful stretch of road on a bike,” she said.

This event also brings a great deal of tourism to our region for the weekend. Event organisers have reported that the 2023 Port Douglas Gran Fondo Festival injected a staggering $1.6 million into our beloved Douglas Shire community. 

“This financial boost reverberated through local businesses, supporting livelihoods and fostering growth”. We are excited to welcome back Gran Fondo for their 3rd year and anticipate an even greater impact,” Mayor Scomazzon added.

The festival kicks off on Saturday 7 September with the Hartley’s to Port 40 kilometre mountain bike race, starting from Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures and finishing on Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas. 

This is followed by the Lexus of Cairns Criterium, a 2.2 kilometre lap circuit starting and finishing outside the Crystal brook Superyacht Marina, which will be followed by the Choo Choos free Family Ride where each child participating will receive a free ice cream from Choo Choo’s Ice Creamery.

Mark Beretta will MC the Wharf Street Sprint Race under lights along the 250 metre Wharf Street straight while local live music plays.

Bade Stapleton, Managing Director of Gran Fondo, is incredibly excited for the event's third consecutive year. 

When asked about the growth of the event Bade happily stated: “We had a 20 percent increase from 2022-2023.” 

He also mentioned that 2024 has been a tough year for marketing the event after the events of cyclone jasper but numbers are increasing and I’m hopeful for a rush in local participants in the final few weeks to match 2023 numbers. 

When asked if he would like to see more events like this in the shire Bade replied: “Events like these are critical for regions that rely on tourism, these events bring new people to a destination to participate in an event when prior to it they may never have thought of visiting, and even if they re not participating it brings droves of people to the region to spectate.”

There are also prizes for the winner of the event, the Lexus of Cairns criterium winner finds themselves with a $2400 cash prize and the Hartley’s to Port mountain bike race winner wins a $2300 cash prize.

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