On May 5th, 2013 New York celebrates one of Italy’s favorite sports, and no it’s not soccer! Right in time for the Italian Year of Culture in the United States, Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia [2] has paired up with TD Five Boro Bike Tour to bring an Italian flair to cycling in the city. The 40 mile tour is held annually along a traffic-free route which weaves throughout the city’s five boroughs.

While regular registration has been closed since January, interested riders can join the tour Italianstyle by signing up as a Gran Fondo VIP. Around 32,000 cyclists will ride in this May’s event, 2,000 of which will receive the VIP treatment. This quota has been increased since last year, in hopes to attract a greater number of both resident and international riders, with help of Giro d’Italia’s reputation.

Riders will start their journey in downtown Manhattan, and continue north hitting the major landmarks of the city, including the Flatiron building, the site of the Freedom Tower, Central Park and Radio City Music Hall. Moving through Harlem and the Bronx, cyclists will enjoy a breezy trip along the East River, taking the Ed Koch bridge to Brooklyn and finishing by crossing the Verrazano Narrows bridge to Staten Island.

The same excursion will be enjoyed by Gran Fondo VIP members, however these cyclists will receive a variety of perks. They will ride as the Italians do by starting off with a hearty breakfast to power them through the day. After a day of exercise, riders can kick back with a massage and live music at their final destination in Staten Island. It is here where they will also enjoy a pasta party, complete with delicious, guilt-free dishes like Sardinian Fregola pasta, a healthy combination of green and yellow wax beans, pesto sauce and radicchio.

If the food isn’t enough to convince bikers to pay the $325 VIP fee, other incentives include a personalized bike registration number, goodie bag and an official Five Boro cycling jersey by Santini, which includes a time chip to measure the climb of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Not only is the event a great way to explore the city and meet fellow passionate cyclists, it is a perfect way of getting in touch with Italian culture in America.

The event is proudly sponsored by Vittoria, Selle Italia, Limar, Santini, Bianchi, Bicycling Magazine, La Gazzetta dello Sport and Interbike.

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Event Date: Sunday, May 5th, 2013 
Start Line: Intersection of Franklin Street and Church Street

VIP Entry Point: Canal Street and Church Street (This is also the entry point for the breakfast.)

Breakfast: Begins at 6am

7:30 – Intro & Announcements

7:45 – Start 1

8:20 – Intro & Announcements

8:30 – Start 2

9:05 – Intro & Announcements

9:15 – Start 3

Finish Festival at Fort Wadsworth (Staten Island) 

Expo (where and opening time)

May 3 10am – 8pm

May 4 9am – 7pm

Location: Basketball City

Pier 36 299 South Street

More info >>> [3]