Cyclists including Nathaniel Parish Flannery (middle) ride toward the finish line at the 2022 Izzi ... [+]
One of the best amateur cycling events in Mexico is the Izzi Kardias Gran Fondo which takes place on a closed section of highway in Mexico State, though the countryside outside of Mexico City. At the October 16 2022 race, the American, ex-pro rider Lance Armstrong joined the competitive group of elite cyclists at the starting line. The fastest rider competing in the 80k “medio fondo” event completed the course in just under two hours and four minutes. The first-place rider in the 130k gran fondo event arrived at the finish line in just over three and half hours. In total 1,269 cyclists competed in the 80k event and 854 riders competed in the 130k distance.
Alan Huber, the CEO of the People for Bikes chain of stores says, “it’s a very cool event. You have everything, good pavement, good climbs, good flats, good descents. It’s an excellent event.”
The Izzi Kardias race is part of a collection of well-organized amateur cycling events in Mexico including the Cycling Series held on Mexico’s Formula 1 track, the Tour de France L’Etape series, the GFNY series, and the Grupo Guepardos Gran Fondo Paso de Cortes. While many bike shops in Mexico City including Vatio, People For Bikes, and the Distrito Fijo Cycling Club organize weekly rides to Los Dinamos, Desierto de Los Leones, and Ajusco, many of the bigger gran fondo races bring riders to mountainous routes further from the capital, including races in Baja California, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, and Puebla.
Most cyclists who ride the Izzi Kardias race come from their homes or hotels in Mexico City, waking up very early to drive towards the city of Toluca for the start of the race. The start to the race can be slow and crowded. In 2022 the start was delayed because of heavy fog and the first few miles of the race were carried out with a speed restriction in place. But, as the sun rose and the fog restricted, the riders were allowed to compete at full speed. There are a few small potholes in the road, but no major obstacles other than one toll booth. The roads are wide and open and in places the views of the countryside are stunning. The short, punchy hills, impede the formation of large groups, but riders do usually group together in pairs or trains of three or four in order to take advantage of the speed gains from drafting.
Jose Castillo, an avid amateur cyclist who lives in Mexico City, explains, “Izzi Kardias offers the possibility to ride with a group [for] the benefits of drafting, but you also have moments of riding solo enjoying the silence and the amazing landscapes.”
The medio fondo course includes a series of rolling hills and one long descent before the halfway turn-around point. Local residents sometimes gather by the sides of the road to watch the cyclist pass. When the fog dissipates cyclists can see the green mountains and farmland in the surrounding countryside. The route is relatively close to Mexico City but the terrain seems rugged and visually impressive.
Ariana Gutierrez, a professional cyclist who rides with Farto-BTC, a Spanish cycling team, who rode in the 2022 Izzi Kardias race, said, “It was my first time participating in the event. I enjoyed the route a lot. It's without a doubt an event that shouldn't be skipped.”
