THE BIG ONE! ARE YOU UP TO THE TEST?
KIT PICKUP - SATURDAY APRIL 26, 2025- Ancaster Rotary Centre/Robert E. Wade Community Park, Ancaster Ontario. MAP TO ANCASTER RACE HQ - 10am-5pm. No race day kit pickup - see below.
RACE - SUNDAY APRIL 27, 2025
START - Paris Fairgrounds, Paris Ontario. MAP TO P2A CENTO START @ PARIS FAIRGROUNDS
START TIME - 8AM
FINISH - Ancaster Rotary Centre/Robert E. Wade Community Park, Ancaster Ontario.
MAP TO ANCASTER RACE HQ
BIKE - Most are using gravel bikes. At the UCI Gravel World Championships drop handlebars are required. No e-bikes. No aero bars/extensions. Helmets are mandatory. No ear buds or headphones.
COURSE
The P2A CENTO is a point-to-point approximately 110km long which begins at the Paris Fairgrounds in Paris, Ontario. CENTO means "one hundred" in Italian, which is the approximate distance of this race. It is
derived from Latin meaning a patchwork, like a quilt or jacket, or in
our case a patchwork of roads, trails, farms etc. The Old faves such as the McIntyre/Nixon Rail Line are still in. More mud at Mineral Springs Road Mud Chute and then to the mud pit of all time - the Powerline Road Mudslide. Just when you think you've made it you're hit with the equally legendary climb up Old Martin Road. You're only 3km from the finish but it is steep, rutted, wet and you're tired. If you can stay on your bike for the whole climb you're good. Even overall winners have had to run up this climb in the past. Challenge yourself on this true epic!
The 2025 P2A Cento course is still a work in progress. 2024 was 114.3km long, 872m of climbing & 61% unpaved.
P2A appreciates the support of the Ontario Provincial Police, Hamilton Police Service and Waterloo Region Police in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for our participants.
UCI GRAVEL SERIES CATEGORIES
The following categories are for those attempting to qualify for the 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships. No license is required for the P2A qualifier event. If you wish to compete at the
2025 UCI Gravel World Championships you will need to purchase a full license. You are placed into a category based on age as of Dec 31/25.
FOR ALL THE UCI GRAVEL DETAILS PLEASE VISIT THE UCI GRAVEL WORLD SERIES REGULATIONS PAGE
UCI GRAVEL WORLD SERIES Race categories |
ELITE MEN |
ELITE WOMEN |
19-34 Men and Women |
35-39 Men and Women |
Note: Women 40+ will race the shorter P2A Classic. Please register for that event. |
Men 40-44 // Men 45-49 // Men 50-54 // Men 55-59 // Men 60-64 // -------- Note: Men 65+ will race the shorter P2A Classic. Please register for that event. |
NON UCI RACE CATEGORIES
NON UCI race categories |
Junior 17-18 | PLEASE NOTE: IN THE UCI GRAVEL WORLD SERIES THERE IS NO JUNIOR CATEGORY RECOGNIZED |
P2A CENTO - Start Time - 8AM
START DETAIL AND STAGING WILL BE PUBLISHED PRIOR TO THE EVENT AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE UCI OFFICIALS
BEFORE YOU REGISTER -- There are CUT-OFF TIMES and we do pull riders for overall course safety.
If you are in doubt, it is likely best to register in the shorter P2A CLASSIC or the P2A BRÈVE this year and try the P2A CENTO in the future.
AWARDS
Award Ceremonies are at 3pm on race day at the Ancaster Rotary Center/Robert E. Wade Community Park. You or a representative must be in attendance to get your medal/prize. Medals/prizes will not be mailed.
P2A IS A POINT-TO-POINT RACE
THE START IS AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION THAN THE FINISH
KIT PICKUP IS ON THE DAY BEFORE THE RACE
Getting around and registration has some particular challenges for both us and you the participant. We try to assist by offering OPTIONS to help. These include such things as bus transportation for you, or truck transportation for your bike. Others include the ability to get your race kit early in the morning on race day. The big OPTION is the P2A VIP that gives you all sorts of perks (see below). Select VIP on the Products List during your Race Roster registration.
VISIT OUR P2A LOGISTICS PAGE FOR DETAILS ABOUT TRANSPORTATION & KIT PICKUP
THE P2A VIP - THE PRO EXPERIENCE If you're interested in something truly special then register for the P2A VIP - The Pro Experience. Includes Race Day Kit Pickup and Transportation and More! The P2A VIP includes services usually reserved for professional cyclists or Olympians. Space is limited - reserve today! CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE P2A VIP BENEFITS & DETAILS! |
REGISTRATION
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE REGISTERING
Registration and Number Pick Up is only available at Ancaster on
Saturday, April 26 2025 - 10am to 5pm @ Ancaster Rotary Centre/Robert E. Wade Community Park, Ancaster Ontario - they are not available in Paris!
LINK TO ANCASTER RACE HQ MAP
IMPORTANT - Plate Pick-up on Saturday Only for the P2A CENTO UNLESS you purchased P2A VIP OR P2A Convenience Package.
Plate/kit pick up - On Saturday you either have to be there in person or have a friend pick-up for you. You will need to show your ID in order to pick up your own kit. Friends will need to show an email from you indicating that they in fact do have permission to pick it up and they will need to show their ID. While you are getting your kit come & browse the P2A Expo!!
2025 Official P2A T-Shirts | P2A CENTO - $178.77 INCLUDES OUR FAMOUS BBQ LUNCH (VEGGIE OPTIONS AVAILABLE) REGISTRATION CLOSES MONDAY APRIL 14, 2025 11:59PM |