The most popular cycling event in southern Gran Canaria, the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts, returns to Maspalomas with one of the biggest names in world cycling on its starting line, world champion Alessandro Ballan, who repeats in this event on February 7 and 8.
After filling its maximum capacity of 500 places in a matter of hours and already bringing together more than 25 different nationalities, the EPIC is heading towards its ninth edition with Alessandro Ballan, who has fallen in love with the event after debuting in 2025.
This edition, which will be held on February 7 and 8, is part of the UCI international calendar and the Gran Fondo World Tour circuit, surpassing itself once again with an international leap and big names confirmed.
Ballan, also known by his nickname 'Bontempino', began to make his mark in 2005, at which point his career became unstoppable. He specialized in classics and one-day races, consistently performing exceptionally well in demanding events. His palmarès boasts 12 UCI World Championship titles. His greatest achievement came in 2008 when he was crowned world road race champion in Varese after a solo victory that earned him the rainbow jersey, but it wasn't his only triumph. Just a year earlier, in 2007, he had already secured one of the most prestigious victories of his career by winning the Tour of Flanders, becoming one of the few Italians to have triumphed in this monumental classic.
In that same 2007 season he also achieved the overall classification of the Three Days of De Panne and the victory in the Vattenfall Cyclassics of Hamburg, in addition to other triumphs such as the Trofeo Laigueglia and the Giro di Toscana, the stage in the Vuelta a España in 2008, the Tour of Poland 2009 and stages in races such as the Eneco Tour.
The EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts kicks off on Saturday, February 7th with the first stage, a 112-kilometer cycling paradise designed to test the athletes from day one. The first stage includes two timed sections that will be crucial for the overall classification, as riders' times will be adjusted to determine the champion.
Stage 1 is the iconic climb to Ayagaures, a 12,3-kilometer ascent of scenery and sport to the summit of Pedro González. Stage 2 of this stage starts in the area known as Alto del Salto del Perro, a 29-kilometer climb from Pasito Blanco to the summit, designed to test each athlete's mettle.
After the second section, the descent is neutralized towards Mogán, ensuring the safety of the participants.
The second stage, on Sunday, February 8, includes a 75-kilometer route and the decisive time trial 3. In this demanding 22-kilometer timed section, ending in Tunte with a climb to Tirajana, the overall winner of the EPIC Gran Canaria 2026 will be decided.
The overall male and female winners will receive a unique trophy, handcrafted by master craftsman Evaristo, an exclusive marble piece that elevates the concept of a sports trophy, transforming it into an artistic jewel designed especially for the EPIC.
More than a cycling event
The EPIC Gran Canaria 2026 aims to go further in this edition, consolidating itself as more than just a cycling event, to be a benchmark international event, uniting sport, territory and a unique experience in which iconic names such as Alessandro Ballan, Igor Astarloa, Haimar Zubeldia, Iban Mayo, David López, Mario Cipollini, Claudio Chiapucci, and content creators such as Ana González, Juliet Elliot, Martín Mata or Daniel Sanz have already participated.
