Mikel Demiri and Michela Santini set the pace in the first stage of the EPIC Gran Canaria

SEE ALL IMAGES IN THIS LINK

 

The ninth edition of the EPIC Gran Canaria has kicked off at the highest level, showcasing Gran Canaria as a cycling paradise and making it clear from the first kilometers that the final victory will be hard-fought. In the men's category, Italian cyclist Mikel Demiri of Team Promotech MG K-Vis delivered an impeccable performance, winning both timed stages of the day with authority. In the women's category, fellow Italian Michela Santini of Team Stefan left no room for doubt, leading the standings from start to finish. 

 

 

Under clear blue skies and perfect conditions for enjoying the island, the EPIC Gran Canaria was the stage for a fiercely competitive battle between titans, with Demiri leading the way, stopping the clock at 1 hour, 23 minutes, and 4 seconds (1h23'04"). With a time of 23 minutes and 34 seconds (23'34") on the first timed section between Aqualand and Ayagaures, he capped off his impressive performance on the demanding climb from Pasito Blanco to Salto del Perro with a time of 59 minutes and 30 seconds (59'30"). He was followed closely by Martín Mata from Burgos, with a total time of 1 hour, 23 minutes, and 14 seconds (1h23'14"), who edged him out on both timed sections of the stage. Swiss athlete Nikolas Ginter completed the podium with a total time of 1 hour, 23 minutes, and 16 seconds (1h23'16").  

 

 

In the women's race, excitement and top-level competition prevailed, with Michela Santini's dominance undeniable. The Team Stefan rider left no room for doubt, leading the pack with a cumulative time of 1 hour, 35 minutes, and 46 seconds (1h35'46"). She took the lead in the first time trial with 27 minutes and 26 seconds (27'26") and remained unchallenged, consolidating her position with a time of 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 20 seconds (1h8'20") in the second time trial of the day. German rider Sandra Kannacher maintained a consistent pace throughout the competition, securing second place with a total time of 1 hour, 39 minutes, and 23 seconds (1h39'23"). For her part, Manuela Muresan, from CD Seven Pro Cycling and iconic winner of this race, managed to settle in third position after a very close battle of times, closing the clock with a final time of 1 hour, 42 minutes and 5 seconds (1h42'5").

 

 

Youth also claimed their share of the spotlight in this inaugural stage through the Junior category, which was decided in a single race on the Ayagaures course. Néstor Herrera, from the GC Bike team, took the men's victory with a time of 23 minutes and 43 seconds (23'43"), joined on the top step of the podium by his female counterpart, the champion Alexia Espino from G7 Bike, who won after completing the course in 32 minutes and 5 seconds (32'5").

 

 

With these results, the EPIC Gran Canaria is now in full swing and will host its decisive stage tomorrow, Sunday, a second day that promises strong emotions and where the management of effort will be crucial in deciding the champions.

 

 

The decisive challenge: the Tirajana climb

 

The excitement will reach its peak with the second and final stage of the EPIC Gran Canaria 2026, a 75-kilometer circuit featuring the iconic Tirajana Hill Climb, time trial 3. This 22-kilometer stretch, finishing in Tunte, is not only one of the most popular and beloved routes for cyclists in Gran Canaria, but it also serves as the decisive factor in determining the overall winner, boasting a unique landscape that will test the endurance of the leaders. 

 

After reaching the summit of Tirajana, the cyclists will begin their return journey to the Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas for the closing party, a hallmark of this event. At the finish line, their effort and hard work on the pedals will be rewarded with an explosion of color and rhythm, featuring batucada drums, drag queens, and live dancing, celebrating the grand finale of an unforgettable sporting experience on the island.

 

 

The EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts event is supported by the Gran Canaria Island Sports Institute, Gran Canaria Tourism, Canary Islands Tourism, Maspalomas Costa Canaria, RIU Hotels & Resorts, Mogán Tourism, Hospiten, Free Motion, Coca-Cola, Aquabona, Greenwood, Gold Nutrition, Sport Dealer, Sonocom, AVIS Canarias, Esenat Specialized School in Health and Wellness, Xtravans, Bandama Cookies, Tirma, Romantic Corp, and Fund Grube. Maspalomas 24h and Gran Fondo World Tour, among others.