Lexus and Vespa to Provide Vehicle Support for the 2014 Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York on May 18

NEW YORK - April 22, 2014 - PRLog -- Lexus is the Official Automotive and Vespa is the Official Scooter of the 2014 Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York. This fourth edition of the event marks the first year that Lexus and Vespa partner with GFNY. Both brands will be at NYC Bike Expo and along the Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York course to provide cyclists a fantastic race day experience.

"The vehicular support needed at Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York is very similar to that of a professional race. We have lead and follow cars, judges, marshals, a fleet of mechanical support provided by Campagnolo, police in cars and on motorbikes, two dozen media vehicles, SAG vans and buses and medical support," explains Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York race director Uli Fluhme. "In total, there are well over 150 vehicles out on the course."

Lexus will provide race organization and mechanical support automobiles. In addition, Lexus will be present at the key training rides of Gruppo Sportivo Gran Fondo New York on the Sundays leading up to the race. "Our group rides are a fantastic benefit for GFNY participants," adds GFNY President Lidia Fluhme. "Starting December, three different pace groups led by our Gruppo Sportivo coaches train on the course to get GFNY participants ready for the big day. Our last three rides in April and May are attended by 200 riders who will enjoy the Lexus aid station at Rockland Lake serving coffee, pastries, fruit and PowerBar products."

Vespas will be mainly used by race marshals, the media, film crews and photographers. But Campagnolo will also utilize some of the Vespa fleet to provide mechanical support because Vespas are smaller and hence their drivers can move through groups of cyclists faster to get to riders who are in need of mechanical assistance.

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About Gran Fondo New York

The 4th annual Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York features the world's most international peloton with riders from over 70 countries and 48 US states. The athletes will take on a challenging 100-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain and back to compete against each other, the clock and themselves in a personal endurance challenge. The 50-mile GFNY BEAR on the same day is a non-competitive ride from NYC to Bear Mountain, to celebrate the park's 100th anniversary. New for the 2014-2015 season, GFNY WORLD features events in Italy, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Spain and Brazil that lead up to the Championship in NYC on May 17, 2015. Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York raises funds for Operation Smile, the international children's medical charity. The official Grand Fondo New York website is: www.granfondony.com.