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The EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts already has its champions. Triple victory for the Finn who competes for Belgium, Matti Helminen, which is the unbeatable leader of this test and the fastest three consecutive years. The first woman to reach the top was the Romanian Manuela Mureson, who secured his place on the podium after leading the first stage.
The three-time EPIC Gran Canaria Hotels & Resorts champion, Matti Helminen, achieved a total time of 2 hours, 47 minutes and 46 seconds (2h 47' 46'' hours), ahead of the Italian Davide rebel (2h 48' 45'' hours) and Spanish Constantin Bartels (2h 52' 40'' hours).
In girls he led with several minutes difference Manuela Muresan (3h 19' 48'' hours), sharing the podium with the Swedish Susan Maclean (3h 22' 23'' hours) and the Polish Marta Keller-Kurach (3h 27' 45'' hours).
A new success, a fifth edition of the best level, a jump in quality and a peloton of stars have closed the fifth call for the best cycle tourist in Gran Canaria. The best sensations and an unparalleled sporting spectacle, with three greats starring in a climb only for titans. Matti Helminen He was accompanied by the head of the peloton who soon left the group behind to face the climb to Tunte. Made up of warriors, the Italian Davide rebel, the Basque Haimar Zubeldia and Spanish Constantin Bartels. They demonstrated their best physical form, facing a time trial in which Davide Rebellin led with a time of 50 minutes and 24 seconds, Matti Helminen stopped the clock with 50 minutes and 27 seconds, followed by Haimar Zubeldia just one second behind with 50 minutes 28 seconds.
A pearl He has defined this stage as “very hard” since it has been “attacking all the time”, and competing with Zebeldia and Rebellin has been a great experience in which everyone has been very equal. rebellin He has said that this island is the “best training”, although he confesses that what he likes most is “this test is always a party”. the black He highlighted that this is a test “to enjoy with the people, with an extraordinary climate” and an island that “never disappoints.” It has been “an hour of climbing in a three-way competition that has been unique.”
In today's stage for the girls, the best time was for Manuela Muresan (1 hour 01' 38''), with Susan Macleanentering the cut in second position with (1h 02' 37'' hours) and Marta Keller-Kurach shortly after (1h 05' 17'' hours). Muresan has declared herself very happy and grateful for being able to compete on the island, and also for her role in today's stage. She has defined this test as “a very nice competition.” Proudly wearing her yellow jersey, the Romanian has invited cycling lovers “to participate, enjoy and relax on the island.”
In the team category, the house group RIU Team led the classification with a total time of 12 hours 55 minutes and 38 seconds, with Loro Parque Tenerife Los Silos (13 hours 27 seconds) another of the RIU Team formations (13 hours, 29 minutes and 15 seconds) and Irichen (15 hours 46 minutes and 55 seconds).
The second stage defined the podium with a single timed section, tough, powerful and for the fastest. The second stage has 75 kilometers of route, with a time trial of 22 kilometers, uphill from the Mirador, with a route that passes through Fataga to Tirajana, with 925 meters of altitude, a slope of 810 meters and average slopes of 4%.
The party has settled in the town of Tunte, which has been bubbling with cycling since the first hour. Live music, entertainment and the best atmosphere to recharge your batteries for the descent on one of the most popular cycle routes on the island, for Santa Lucía, La Era, Vecindario, Doctoral and Bahía Feliz along the GC-65 and GC-500, to meet again at the hotel where the great sports festival will begin.
Fondriest joins the list of world champions
In the second stage of the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts has joined a world champion. Maurizio Fondriest, who is training in Gran Canaria, has joined the competition day, pedaling with his daughter Carlotta Fondriest.
With him they are already three world champions competing in the most popular cycle tour in the south of Gran Canaria, with four world titles in total, in addition to several record holders and Vuelta and Giro champions.
Batucada and rhythm to say goodbye to the event of the year
A red carpet greeted the athletes upon their arrival at the RIU Palace Maspalomas, where they were already everything prepared for the great sports festival. Batucada, troupes, Riki Saxo playing live and several drags among a display of animation set up the party in Maspalomas, to open the mouth to a collective paella and an impact podium. In February 2023 The EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts returns.
Teamwork
For its V edition, the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts is sponsored by RIU Hotel & Resorts, the City Council of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, the Cabildo of Gran Canaria and Turismo Gran Canaria, and within the framework of the European Island project. Sport, AVIS Canarias, Coca Cola, AquaBona, Maspalomas24h, La Estrella, Sonocom, Free Motion, Phisiorelax, Esenat, Fund Grube.
