The GFNY World Series continues to grow both its network of events around the world and its fields of riders.

1,378 riders made it to the finish of the 3rd GFNY Colombia giving it a claim to be the largest Colombian cycling race ever. 

Given that the long route's finish line is at a lung-busting 11,000 feet/3,365 meters atop La Cuchilla mountain, that is a breath-taking achievement.

The peloton heads towards La Cuchilla at GFNY Colombia. Credit: Sportograf
GFNY describes the event as "the world's highest all-comers cycling marathon". 

The 1,800 starting places sold out in January and 1,700 riders tackled the ride, which marked the opening of the 2017 GFNY World season of 14 events on four continents.

Held just 30 min. outside the country's capital of Bogota, GFNY Colombia once again had all kinds of weather conditions in store for the riders. It was windy and sunny at times but also cold and rainy on top of La Cuchilla mountain.

Crowded pens at the start of GFNY Colombia. Credit: Sportograf
In the women's race, 7-time GFNY Champion Camila Cortes was again unbeatable. After finishing fourth in the national time trial championship two days prior, she added an 8th GFNY title to her incredible palmares. Cortes finished in 3:26:06, beating Lilibet Chacon by 5 minutes with Lorena Vargas another 8 minutes back in third place (all Colombia).

In the men's race, all contenders stayed together until the bottom of the decisive climb up to La Cuchilla. Franklyn Betancourt showed up first on top and won in 3:11:27, defeating David Molina by three minutes. Antonio Donado followed closely in third while multiple GFNY champ Gabriel Corredor had to be content with finishing fourth (all Colombia).

A solo smile. Credit: Sportograf
Next up on the GFNY Calendar are the GFNY Italia Stage Race March 17-19 and GFNY Uruguay March 19.

The Italian event will be GFNYs first stage race, featuring a spectacular uphill time trial, a fast 60km road race stage with a climb to the finish and the classic 130km Gran Fondo with 2087m of climbing.

Punta del Este will host GFNY Uruguay's 2nd edition. Latin America's bike racers will test their summer fitness over this challenging 180km one-day race.

GFNY World calendar

February 26, 2017 - GFNY Colombia - gfnycolombia.com

March 17-19, 2017 - GFNY Italia Stage Race - gfnyitalia.com

March 19, 2017 - GFNY Uruguay - gfnyuruguay.com

March 26, 2017 - GFNY LatAm Championship Mexico City - gfnymexicocity.com

April 23, 2017 - GFNY Malaysia - gfnymy.com

May 21, 2017 - Campagnolo GFNY World Championship NYC - gfny.com

June 25, 2017 - GFNY Europe Championship Mont Ventoux - gfnymontventoux.com

August 6, 2017 - GFNY Brasil - gfnybrasil.com

September 3, 2017 - GFNY Deutschland - gfnydeutschland.com

September 3, 2017 - GFNY Asia Championship Indonesia - gfnyindonesia.com

September 29 - October 1, 2017 - GFNY Provence Stage Race - gfnyprovence.com

November 12, 2017 - GFNY Argentina - gfnyargentina.com

November 12, 2017 - GFNY Cozumel-Mexico - gfnycozumel.com

November 26, 2017 - GFNY Chile - gfnychile.com

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