*** Update ***
We have registered five of us (Maurice, Germain, Marcell, Hugh, Philippe) for this event and just received the confirmation from the tourist office with the hotel name.
When you book, ask them to put you in the Serenissima Hotel, if you want to be with us.
The booking procedure for the race is as follows:
1) Register as a new user on the race website (http://www.novecolli.it)
2) Log-on and add one or multiple riders
3) Confirme pre entry - you should receive a pre-entry reference number
4) Contact the tourist office (fill out their webform or send a fax) quoting your pre-entry number (ask for the Serenissima Hotel if you want to be at the same place as we are)
5) The tourist office will send you an invoice
6) Pay the invoice either by bank transfer or by faxing your credit card details within 5 days of pre-registration
7) The tourist office will send you the hotel name and address after your payment has been received.
8) Book your own flight as per below
Best
Philippe
*** end update ***
All,
As an alternative to the Gimondi (which would be during the Lanzarote camp this year), we have looked at other rides in Italy.
Lloyd has discovered the below Granfondo, seems to be a good testing one, especially the long ride (nine hills).
Check it out:
The race is on Sunday May 23rd. We will have to fly out on Saturday in the morning, come back on Monday evening.
British Airways fly from Gatwick to Bologna (return 122 Pound). From there is is a 20 min bus ride to the trainstation and a bit less than 2 hours by train.
The tourist office in Cesenatico has a special offer:
2 nights in a hotel including breakfast and dinner, early breakfast before the race (starting at 4 am) and race entry (guaranteed space in the 3rd out of 7 starting grids) at 155 Euros per person - this is based on double occupancy. Single occupancy is an extra 12 Euros per night.
http://www.cesenaticoturismo.com/offer_detail.asp?LANG=en&PAGE=4&IDOFFER...
The deal is cheaper than what the hotels would otherwise cost, but they pick the hotel for you, based on availability. The hotels are filled on a first come first served basis, and the earlier we register, the better the location of the hotel.
I'm in and will book my flight later today or tomorrow. Please let me know, whether you're in, so that we can start booking hotel rooms.
Best
Philippe
079 855 73585
philippe@swissmail.com