The most popular cycling sports event in the south of Gran Canaria, the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts, will have part of the Italian army loyal to this race on its starting line, repeating success with exceptional guests. 'El Diavolo', Claudio Chiappucci, returns to the island to climb the landscapes of Gran Canaria, loyal to his appointment in one of the most privileged destinations in the world for cycling.
The Italian cyclist Claudio Chiappucci He was one of the toughest rivals to beat in the 80s and 90s, known for his leg power and his talent for big climbs. His tenacity to face the hardest sections of the laps gave him the nickname 'The Diavolo', with which he accumulated historical feats such as the 13th stage of the 1992 Tour de France, one of the most demanding on the circuit and where he became one of the most brilliant climbers of the time.
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Standing up to Miguel Induráin, Chiappucci was a great combative athlete who made a place for himself in the cycling elite of the 90s for his climbs and descents. His record accumulates dozens of titles such as the Giro de Piedmont, the Coppa Placci, the mountain grand prix in the Giro d'Italia, the Milan-San Remo, the mountain and combative grand prix of the Tour de France, the San Sebastian Classic , the Coppa Sabatini, the Japan Cup, the Tre Valli Varesine, or the Giro de Piedmont among many other successes. His podiums in the Giro and the Tour made him known and recognized as a cyclist. 'brave and tough, and one of the great names in cycling of the brilliant 90s.
'El Diavolo' will be one of the special guests of this edition of the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts, the most special in its entire history, which consolidates its international leap as a world headquarters that will crown the champions of the world in the Gran Fondo World Championship, the first cycle sports world ranking for fans and passionate cyclists from all over the planet.
Its more than 500 registered participants of 20 different nationalities will also participate in a test that debuts its twinning with other events in the world, twinned in this 2024 edition with the 5 Mila Marche, and with Valdobbiadene, in Veneto, with an alliance with the Prosecco Cycling international test.
The EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts takes place in two stages, which will take its hundreds of runners along several of the island's favorite routes. The first stage has 115 kilometers and two timed sections, departing from the Mirador de las Dunas de Maspalomas at the RIU Palace Maspalomas, and a circuit that runs through Arteara, Fataga, Tirajana and El Pajar to Pasito Blanco.
The first stage tests the endurance of the competitors with its first timed section between Aqualand and Ayagaures, with the finish line at the Pedro González summit and 12,3 kilometers of challenge at 470 meters of altitude and an average inclination of 4,4%. . The second time trial begins in Pasito Blanco on its ascent to Ayacata, with 45 kilometers and 1.304 meters high, with a demanding average slope of 4,7% crowning El Pajar, Cercados de Espino, Soria, Barranquillo Andrés, the Las Niñas dam to the top of Ayacata.
The second stage is fast, explosive and is surrounded by landscapes that professional and amateur cyclists fall in love with, with 75 kilometers of sporting challenge in a 22 kilometer time trial. With the starting line at the RIU Palace Maspalomas hotel, this stage takes cyclists to Fataga and Tirajana, with 925 meters of altitude and a slope of 810 meters, with average slopes of 4%. The EPIC Gran Canaria will take over iconic routes on the island such as the GC-65 and the GC-500, in a circuit that offers the best mountain and coastal landscapes of Santa Lucía, La Era, Vecindario, Doctoral and Bahía Feliz.
A great sports festival, with a show, batucada, expo, collective lunch, awards ceremony and live music will put the finishing touch to an event that has a faithful list and that each year more participants fall in love with, this year with surprises and more international never.
Cycling as a tourist attraction and differentiator
The EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts has not only established itself in the sports calendar, but is also advancing in its objective of consolidating Gran Canaria as a world cycling destination. The landscapes, its demanding routes, safe roads, sports and tourist infrastructure, the spring climate in the middle of winter and the hospitality are just some of the elements that make Gran Canaria an unrivaled destination for cycling, a place for training and enjoying great experiences. athletes all year round and who seeks, through this test and sport, to show all their benefits.
The EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts has the support of the Insular Sports Institute of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, Maspalomas Costa Canaria, RIU Hotels & Resorts, Turismo Gran Canaria, Hospiten, Free Motion, Nektium, Coca-Cola, Aquabona, and Esenat, among others.
