About The Plan
Gran Fondo events reward more than fitness. They demand resilience, pacing control, climbing durability, and the ability to handle changes in intensity over long distances.
This 16-week programme builds a strong aerobic foundation before progressing toward event-specific intensity. Training prepares you for sustained climbs, rolling terrain, and repeated hard efforts that define Gran Fondo racing. Each week balances structure and variation to ensure steady progression while keeping training engaging and purposeful.
Core, strength, and mobility sessions are integrated throughout the programme to support performance and reduce injury risk. As your fitness develops, the plan evolves with you. Session volume, intensity, and training zones adjust automatically through Vekta, ensuring sustainable development all the way to race day.
Whether your goal is to complete your first Gran Fondo or compete for a top result, this plan prepares you to arrive confident, capable, and fully ready for the demands of the event.
Meet Your Coach
Matteo Cigala is an Italian coach with over 10 years of experience working with athletes worldwide, from first-time competitors to professional cyclists.
A former Continental-level professional, Matteo represented Italy as both a Junior and Elite rider. He began racing at the age of five and has won more than 200 races during his career. As an amateur, he is a former European Champion in Gran Fondo and a UCI Vice World Champion in both Gran Fondo and Gravel.
Matteo combines real-world racing experience with science-backed, data-driven coaching. His approach is built on progression, efficiency, and enjoyment, helping athletes maximise limited training time while developing durable, race-ready fitness.
"Gran Fondo racing rewards durability, intelligence, and preparation. My goal is to help athletes arrive at the start line confident, strong, and ready to perform at their best, no matter the course profile or ambition."
Cigala Cycling
How Adaptive Plans Work
The Gran Fondo Adaptive Plan combines Matteo’s structured coaching framework with Vekta’s adaptive technology. Your training progresses with your fitness, ensuring every week reflects your current condition and goals.
Choose Your Plan
Select the plan that matches your goal. Tell us how many hours you want to train, your availability, and how you prefer to train.
Access Your Plan
Your plan is delivered through Vekta and personalised to you, with sessions and guidance added directly to your training calendar.
Plan Updates
Vekta automatically updates your plan using your training data, keeping each session aligned with your evolving fitness and schedule.
Unlock Insights
Track your training and see how your preparation is progressing, with clear insight into your performance as you move toward race day.
What’s Included?
16-week adaptive Gran Fondo Training Plan
4 to 7 cycling sessions per week
1 to 2 core and strength sessions weekly
Integrated mobility and stretching guidance
Personalised indoor and outdoor training
Detailed insight and analysis into very session
Training adapts to fitness, availability, and progression
Nutrition and race preparation guidance
Start Your Preparation Today
Access your personalised plan, designed by Matteo Cigala and delivered through Vekta, bringing together structured training, adaptive progression, and the support needed to perform at your best on race day.
