March 13, 2019 (Victoriaville, QC) – At the recent Montreal Bike Show, the organizers of the Appalachian Classic announced that the event will not be held in 2019 to allow a new focus on three Gran Fondos and the new La Grinta gravel race being held on August 24th, along with the Quebec Criterium Championships to be held on July 13.

“The decision to put the race on hold this year has been matured for a long time,” said Alexis Pinard. co-founder and president of the Appalachian Classic. “By talking with our volunteers, our partners and many employees, the Board of Directors believes that we need to decide based on what our people on the ground tell us: the rapid growth of the organization, coupled with the addition of events complementary, impose a steady pace that we must consider and, above all, manage well. We have the chance to have the support of an extraordinary population and generous and willing volunteers, who must to remain our priority if we wish to perpetuate the event.”

In addition, the organization will  in 2019, which implies a break for the competitive part of the FQSC’s regular calendar this year. More than an opportunity to push its limits, La Grinta is a journey-tribute to the very definition of the word Grinta who, in Italian, refers to passion, determination, courage and resilience. Unique in North America, this course promises a great cycling and “Gravel Bike” experience: participants will not have the opportunity to live it only once in their life … because the course will be offered only once, August 24, 2019, as part of the festivities surrounding the 5th Anniversary of the Appalachian Classic.

The new “La Grinta” gravel race features a new 220km mystery course – of which more than 80% is on clay – and 4,200m of climbing as part of a cycling festival on Aug. 24th at the summit of Mont Arthabaska celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Appalachian Classic. The registration fee for La Grinta is $220 and the maximum number of participants is also 220.

“We are definitely not closing the door for the Appalachian Classic in our annual lineup on the FQSC calendar race,” said Pinard. “We just want to think about how best to promote this component of competition and take the time to find answers to our questions. Is it too difficult for runners and runners from here? Is it a question of date? Are there any obstacles to runners outside Quebec? participate? That’s the kind of thinking we want to have with the community in Quebec, which by then, will find in La Grinta a major challenge, in addition to the Quebec Championships in critérium.”

Over the years, several WorldTour and Continental runners have participated at the Appalachian Classic, as well as several members of Canada’s national team, most using the event in anticipation of participation in the road world championships. Among these, we note in particular:

– Mike Woods (EF – Cannondale Drapac), vainqueur pro/élite en 2015-16
– Antoine Duchesne (Groupama FDJ), vainqueur pro/élite en 2017
– Nikolas Zukowsky (Silber Pro Racing), vainqueur pro/élite en 2018
– Kirsti Lay (Rally Cycling), vainqueur chez les Femmes en 2017
– Simone Boilard (Desjardins Ford), vainqueur chez les Femmes en 2018