NATALIE Sullivan, an elite Jersey and Team GB cyclist, has returned triumphant from the UCI Gran Fondo World Series in Turkey, claiming gold in the time trial and silver in the road race in her category, to earn an overall bronze.
As a gold medallist at the prestigious international event, Sullivan also took home the famed UCI winner’s rainbow jersey and has automatically qualified, for a third time, to represent Great Britain at next year’s UCI Gran Fondo World Championships to be held in Melbourne, Australia.
The UCI is the world governing body for cycling, recognised by the International Olympic Committee. Their international World Series events for qualification to the annual World Championships are open to all non-professional cyclists and are popular with ex-professionals and elite amateurs.
Sullivan’s current haul was added to a previous gold, three silvers and bronze medals she has won at the event since 2021.
To put this year’s achievement in Antalya in perspective, her times of 30mins 38secs for the 20km time trial, and 1hour 51mins 37secs for the 66km road race smashed both of her previous personal bests.
The Islander said: “I love this UCI World Series event in Antalya, the organisation and culture welcome riders from all over the world and both courses really suit my style of riding.
“To have performed so well here was the icing on the cake to my achievements this year, I’m thrilled to be bringing medals home and so excited to be back in Team GB for the World Championships in Australia.”
The event closed the curtain on Sullivan’s highly fruitful season.
Among races both home and away she represented Great Britain at this year’s UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Aalborg, Denmark and in July, and was one of just two women globally to complete Le Grand Loop, which is a 21-day epic covering the same iconic Tour de France route, raced this year by the professional men. She also claimed the time trial stage in that event.
Sullivan added: “I took up cycling in my 40s and it immediately gave me an enormous sense of freedom and independence which transferred to help me deal with serious issues in other areas of my life.
“I love riding my bike through beautiful scenery in both Jersey and abroad and it’s a privilege to be able to perform at an international level in my 50s.
“I also love that cycling in all its forms, from e-bike commuting to world-class racing, provides opportunities for all ages and abilities.
“Having personally received support from The Women’s Refuge, I really want to promote women’s cycling and what it’s possible to achieve.”
Le Grand Loop is a stern challenge. Sullivan rode across four countries in three weeks – Italy, San Marino, France and Monaco, covering over 3,500km of road and 50,000m of elevation, regularly clocking up around 200km of cycling per day.
The conditions proved gruelling, including the relentless gravel stage, the highest paved road in Europe, at 3,000m, gale force winds, horizontal hail, downpours of rain and searing summer heat.
The challenge was softened by the picturesque scenery across the Alps, Pyrenees, Massif Central, along with iconic vineyards and the Mediterranean and Adriatic coasts.
For Sullivan, it is time to rest and recuperate ahead of returning to training in the new year for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
