The fourth edition of the EPIC Gran Canaria Riu Hotels & Resorts already has its first champions
The fourth edition of the EPIC Gran Canaria Riu Hotels & Resorts has crowned its first champions, who are leading the pack in the flagship event: a 115-kilometer stage with two time trials. Matti Helminen and Josefine Huitfeldt are at the front of the island's premier cyclotourism event, completing the first stage of a weekend of cycling through the heart of Gran Canaria.
Finnish rider Matti Helminen , competing for Belgium , arrived on the island to defend his title in this race. He completed the first stage with a time of 24:54 in the first time trial (from Aqualand to Ayagaures) and 1:33:29 in the second timed section (from Pasito Blanco to Ayacata). With an unassailable lead established from the outset, Helminen was impossible for his rivals to catch. The champion of the third edition has repeated his success in this fourth edition, easily completing both time trials with the support of the fans along the route, who filled the heart of the island with a safe and healthy atmosphere. " It was tough," he said. "I tried to make a difference from the beginning , and in the end, I had to suffer" to achieve the best time.
The second driver to cross the finish line was Mads Richardt from Denmark, with a time of 25:11 and 1:35:53 in the second timed stage. The first Spaniard to stop the clock was Miguel Ramos , in third position with a time of 25:36 in the first timed stage (tied with Blas Rivero ) and 1:39:38 in the second competitive stage, which made the difference and propelled him onto the podium in this first leg.
In the women's category, the first to reach the podium was Denmark's Josefine Huitfeldt , who completed the first time trial in 28 hours and 14 minutes, with a time of 1 hour, 58 minutes, and 50 seconds for the second competitive section, thus catapulting herself to the top of the standings. The Danish cyclist, able to outpace her rivals in the peloton by several minutes, was the undisputed leader of the category. She declared herself "very happy, it's been great" because although "it's not my first time in Gran Canaria, it is my first time at the EPIC, and it's been tough, demanding climbs and incredible scenery ," so "I've really enjoyed it."
The second position went to the British Caroline Susan Gaskell with a time of 31:49 in the first timed section and 2:11:47 for the second, followed very closely by the third on the podium of this stage, the Spaniard Montserrat Pereira (33:29 and 2:15:51) who had to push hard to avoid being caught by the Brazilian Vanessa Lessa (32:21 and 2:17:48) just a few minutes behind.
A stage for 'climbers'
The first stage of the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels&Resorts is its flagship event, the queen of the climbs. At 115 kilometers , this stage runs through the south-central part of the island, with ascents designed to test the legs and hearts of the fastest riders.
Starting at 8:30 a.m. from the Maspalomas Dunes viewpoint at the RIU Palace Maspalomas, the 300 competitors embarked on one of the island's most popular cycling routes. The route begins at the foot of the Maspalomas Dunes and winds through Arteara, Fataga, Tirajana, and El Pajar to Pasito Blanco. This stage featured its first timed section from Aqualand to Ayagaures, finishing at the summit of Pedro González in a 12,3-kilometer climb to an altitude of 470 meters . The cyclists faced a 460-meter elevation gain and an average gradient of 4,4%, with a 50-minute cut-off time on a circuit that introduced some new features in this fourth edition.
The second time trial begins in Pasito Blanco with the climb to Ayacata, a challenging 45-kilometer route at an altitude of 1.304 meters and an elevation gain of 1.038 meters. The most demanding section, with an average gradient of 4,7%, saw riders pass through El Pajar, Cercados de Espino, Soria, Barranquillo Andrés, the Las Niñas dam, and finish at the summit of Ayacata. Blue skies and summer temperatures accompanied the cyclists as they tackled one of the island's most popular and beautiful routes, perfect for enjoying its natural beauty.
Tomorrow: Second definitive stage
The second stage, taking place tomorrow, October 17th, will feature a single timed section. Fast and dynamic, the second stage covers 75 kilometers , including a 22-kilometer uphill time trial. This crucial climb, key to securing the podium, will give the fastest riders the opportunity to give their all and claim the title.
Starting from the RIU Palace Maspalomas hotel, participants will head towards the competitive stage from the Mirador viewpoint, following a route through Fataga to Tirajana , reaching an altitude of 925 meters, with an elevation gain of 810 meters and average gradients of 4% . After the timed section, cyclists will begin their descent on one of the island's most popular cycling routes, exclusively for the EPIC Gran Canaria Riu Hotels & Resorts. This downhill ride passes through Santa Lucía, La Era, Vecindario, Doctoral, and Bahía Feliz along the GC-65 and GC-500 roads, before returning to the hotel where, starting at midday, the grand celebration of sport will begin with lunch, live music, entertainment, a batucada (percussion band), and many surprises to bring the fourth EPIC Gran Canaria to a close.
Teamwork
The IV 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 with the Tourist Board and within the framework of the European Sports Island project, AVIS Canarias , Xtravans, Coca Cola, AquaBona, La Estrella, Emicela, Sonocom, Free Motion, Phisiorelax, Esenat, Fund Grube, Aqualand, Maspalomas 24h, Mas Eventos, FicGC, Provital, Urban Graphic, Top Time Events, Grupo 33, Club Deportivo Atlefulca and PRO Cycling Camp.
