The EPIC Gran Canaria 2026 has its champions. Italians Mikel Demiri and Michela Santini have been crowned overall winners of a historic edition of the international cyclotourism event, after two days of competition and a thrilling finish decided in the third and final time trial.
The 2026 edition will go down in history as the largest and most demanding ever held, with 680 cyclists from 28 countries, cementing the EPIC Gran Canaria as one of the major international amateur cycling events. The final day was a true epic battle, with the top two finishers in the men's general classification separated by just one second, a clear demonstration of the exceptionally high level of competition on the island's roads. Today's results proved decisive in determining the overall champion, a combination of Saturday's opening stage and Sunday's crucial time trial, after two days of top-level international cycling in Gran Canaria.
In the men's overall classification, the victory went to Mikel Demiri, who did not find it easy to consolidate his victory from yesterday against a very combative Nikolas Ginter, stopping the clock with a total time of 2 hours, 12 minutes and 45 seconds (2:12 PM.'45”), crossing the finish line alongside his Swiss rival, who finished second with a time of 2 hours, 12 minutes and 46 seconds (2:12 PM.'46”), just one second from the title. The podium was completed by Martín Mata Cabello, third with a final time of 2 hours, 13 minutes and 24 seconds (2:13 PM.'24”).
In the overall women's classification, the victory went to Michela Santini, who was proclaimed champion with an accumulated time of 2 hours, 35 minutes and 44 seconds (2:35 PM.'44’). Second place went to Sandra Kannacher, with 2 hours, 40 minutes and 14 seconds (2:40 PM.'14”), while the third place on the podium was occupied by Ballan Azzurra, with a total time of 2 hours, 49 minutes and 50 seconds (2:49 PM.'50”).
The Junior classification also produced some great performances. In Junior Men's, first place went to Néstor Herrera González, with a time of 1 hour, 13 minutes and 53 seconds (1:13 PM.'53”), followed by Héctor Alfaya González, with 1 hour, 17 minutes and 15 seconds (1:17 PM.'15”), and Ayose Robaina González, with 1 hour, 18 minutes and 22 seconds (1:18 PM.'22”). In Junior Women, the victory went to Alexia Espino Pais, with 1 hour, 44 minutes and 23 seconds (1:44 PM.'23”), with Catherine Machlab Ramos in second position, with 1 hour, 46 minutes and 37 seconds (1:46 PM.'37”), and Noelia del Carmen Pérez García closing the podium, with 1 hour, 49 minutes and 35 seconds (1:49 PM.'35”).
With this spectacular ending, the EPIC Gran Canaria 2026 bids farewell, reaffirming its growth, its international character and its sporting demands, after two unforgettable days of cycling in one of the most spectacular settings in the world.
On to the tenth anniversary
The EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts is wrapping up for this year, but is already preparing what will undoubtedly be a very special edition. The team is already working on the 2027 edition, the tenth anniversary of this event, which has taken a leap forward in terms of organization, quantity, and quality, consolidating the success of an edition with 36% more athletes and, for the first time, extending to the sunny municipality of Mogán, selling out in just 6 hours.
The most popular cycling event in southern Gran Canaria has more than one challenge, as it was born from the work and effort of a team in love with cycling with the aim of showing the island as a sporting paradise and serving as an ambassador in the world of the most popular and spectacular routes.
Thanks to the commitment of the organizers, public entities, and private partners, the EPIC Gran Canaria cycling event showcases the stunning landscapes and ideal conditions for the sport to the world through its cyclists, highlighting the destination's strengths and its potential for high-level sports tourism—for training, competition, and relaxation—all with quality and sustainability. With the conclusion of this ninth edition, the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts is gearing up for its anniversary edition, which promises new features, exciting events, and special surprises.
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, Fund Grube, Maspalomas 24h and Gran Fondo World Tour, among others.
