UCI Granfondo Matildica

UCI Granfondo Matildica is a long-running Italian granfondo held in Reggio Emilia, with origins dating back to 1973. It is a qualifying event for the UCI Gran Fondo World Series and features two road race distances. The Granfondo is for men and women up to age 49, and the Mediofondo is for men and women aged 50 and over. The longer race covers approximately 153-156 km with 2,050-2,150 metres of elevation gain, while the shorter option is about 126-130 km with 1,450 metres of climbing. Most participants share the same roads for a significant portion of the day. The Granfondo route includes additional loops to extend the distance and climbing. The course begins to challenge riders after the initial kilometres, featuring a 4 km climb averaging 5.5% around the 53 km mark, followed shortly by an 11 km climb averaging 3.5%. The event attracts age-group competitors aiming for UCI Gran Fondo World Series qualification. Its extensive history includes hosting the UEC European Championships Granfondo, marking it as one of the world's oldest granfondos.