GFNY Italia is CONFIRMED to take place on October 17, 2021.

Standing high atop a hill in southern Tuscany, not far from Florence, Montepulciano is a medieval town of rare beauty. The city, full of elegant Renaissance palaces, ancient churches, charming squares and hidden corners, boasts vast panoramas all over the wonderful Val d'Orcia and Val di Chiana valleys that surround it. The surrounding countryside covered by vineyards producing the famous Vino Nobile.

The characteristic village of Torrita is located in the Valdichiana and its origins date back centuries. Its appearance alludes to its history as a fortified town, built to serve as a stronghold for the Republic of Siena. The battles fought here are depicted in a fresco by Lippo Vanni in the Sala del Mappamondo in Siena’s town hall. The artwork portrays a battle with the castle in Torrita in the background. 

GFNY Italia offers everything of a true Italian granfondo with the added thrill of the "strade bianche" sectors. 

The “percorso unico” of 101 km with 1889 m of climbing over numerous hills features three gravel road sections totaling 25km. These roads are called “strade bianche” (white roads) and refer to the network of unpaved back roads that run among the vineyards and olive groves of the Tuscan countryside. The name comes from the color of the dry earth and the limestone gravel and small stones of these roads during the Tuscan summer. 

The finish of the race will be up a steep climb back to the town market square where the race started.

The strade bianche gravel roads DO NOT require a special bike. In fact, your standard road bike will be the best bike for GFNY Italia. A gravel bike will only hold you back on the paved road. Use 25-28mm tires. While you can use deep section wheels, anything 35mm or lower are preferable for most. We personally use traditional “box rim wheels”.