The fourth edition of the EPIC Gran Canaria Riu Hotels & Resorts closes a podium only accessible to the best. The winners of the first stage have not slowed down to reach the title on this decisive day
The fourth edition of the EPIC Gran Canaria Riu Hotels & Resorts has concluded with a podium finish only accessible to the very best. The winners of the first stage maintained their momentum, reaching this decisive stage for the title, which ultimately went to Matti Helminen and Josefine Huitfeldt, champions of this fourth edition.
Matti Helminen , the Finnish driver competing for Belgium, took the lead on Saturday and secured his victory with a total time of 2 hours, 50 minutes, and 17 seconds (2:50:17) , two minutes ahead of his rival. He finished the day's only timed stage, from Lomo Maspalomas to Pueblo de Tirajana, in 51:53 . The reigning champion successfully defended his title and, with this win, is now the competitor with the most EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts trophies.
He was joined on the podium in second place by Dane Mads Richardt with a time of 2 hours, 52 minutes, and 56 seconds (2:52:56). The Dane stopped the clock at 51:52 in the third and only competitive stage of the day, and although he was the fastest, he couldn't overcome the lead already established by the champion. Third place went to Spaniard Pablo Rodríguez (2:59:12) with a time of 53:55 in this third stage, who managed to close the gap that the leading cyclists had built up the previous day.
The fastest woman, for the second day in a row, was Denmark's Josefine Huitfeldt , who completed the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels&Resorts with a total time of 3 hours, 32 minutes, and 9 seconds (3:32:09) , with a time of 1:05:06 for today's third and only competitive stage. Huitfeldt performed exceptionally well in this race, as although she had been to the island before, she had never crossed the finish line of this competition. In her debut, the Dane left no room for doubt, leading the pack throughout the weekend.
The second position went to Briton Carolyn Susan Gaskell with a total time of 3 hours, 53 minutes, and 57 seconds (3:53:57) and a time of 1:10:20 in the third timed section, her climb to the town of Tirajana. Third place, completing the women's podium of the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels&Resorts, was taken by Spaniard Montserrat Pereira with a total time of 4 hours, 1 minute, and 15 seconds (4:01:15), and a time of 01:11:55 for the timed climb.
The decisive stage
The second stage, which concludes the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts classification, is designed for equal parts competition and enjoyment. Featuring a single, faster, and more dynamic timed section, the second stage covered 75 kilometers , including a 22-kilometer uphill time trial . This climb proved crucial in determining the overall winner and presented a significant challenge for the most experienced cyclists. The champion will be decided among the fastest riders across the three time trials—two yesterday and one today.
Starting from the RIU Palace Maspalomas hotel, the participants headed towards the competitive stage from the Mirador viewpoint, a route that passes through Fataga to Tirajana , reaching an altitude of 925 meters, with an elevation gain of 810 meters and average gradients of 4% . A tough and demanding stage, though shorter and more accessible, that blends sport and nature. After completing the timed section, the cyclists began their descent on one of the island's most popular cycling routes, exclusively for the EPIC Gran Canaria Riu Hotels & Resorts. This downhill ride takes them through Santa Lucía, La Era, Vecindario, Doctoral, and Bahía Feliz along the GC-65 and GC-500 roads, before returning to the hotel for a grand celebration of sport with lunch, live music, entertainment, and a batucada performance to bring the fourth EPIC Gran Canaria to a close.
Two days of sport and cycling atmosphere
The competitors, 300 in this edition, enjoyed another edition of the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts, like Santiago Rodríguez , who never misses it. “It’s a weekend of sport, with a cycling atmosphere and a lot of fun,” so “you can’t ask for more and I’ll definitely be back.” Katha Voelkel echoed this sentiment , saying that although she didn’t achieve the time she hoped for, “having the road all to ourselves is fantastic,” and that it’s an event she “loved” and hopes that “many more women will join in future editions.”
Next appointment, February 12 and 13, 2022
“On to the next one,” that’s the feeling already in the air. Yojanán Reyes, director of the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts, confessed to being “very happy with this edition” and especially pleased “to see that all the competitors enjoyed” a weekend of sport in the heart of the island. The fifth edition invites the best cyclists to return to compete on February 12th and 13th, 2022 , reclaiming its usual dates.
The pandemic hasn't stopped the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts, which has returned to the road with its most anticipated edition yet, moving the event from February to October to ensure its safety. More entertainment, more staff, a spectacular audiovisual display, and a live broadcast are all part of an event that grows every year, featuring international cycling stars like Mario Cipollini and the director of the Vuelta a España, Javier Guillén, among other special guests.
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.
