Swiss cyclist Nicolas Ginter returns to the EPIC Gran Canaria as the big favorite after a successful season

The EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts will feature in this 2026 edition one of the most promising names in the international peloton, the Swiss cyclist Nicolas Ginter, who returns to the race with the clear objective of completing the story that was left unfinished last year and fighting for the overall title. 

 

Positioning himself as one of the favorites for the podium, his return does not go unnoticed after a season of growth, which reinforces the memory of a brilliant performance that placed him on the verge of final victory last year and raises expectations for his personal "revenge" in Gran Canaria.

 

 

Ginter was one of the breakout stars of the last edition of the EPIC Gran Canaria. The Tirol KTM Cycling Team rider dominated the first stage, a demanding coast-to-summit course, taking the overall lead with a time of 1 hour, 57 minutes, and 56 seconds. His performance allowed him to establish a lead over top-level rivals on a very close podium, but a crash on the second stage forced him to abandon the race while in contention for the title, leaving him with a sense of missed opportunity that he now seeks to transform into sporting redemption.

 

Since then, the Swiss cyclist has continued his progression and established himself on the international stage. Having developed his skills in Swiss cycling and steadily progressed through the junior and under-23 categories, Ginter has racked up victories and podium finishes in national and international races, particularly excelling on demanding courses and in sustained time trials. His move to the continental Tirol KTM Cycling Team has been a significant step forward in his career, allowing him to compete regularly at the highest level and gain experience in stage races, a key factor for confidently tackling the EPIC Gran Canaria.

 

The combination of youth, ambition, and recent experience makes Nicolas Ginter one of the top favorites for overall victory. His ability to perform well in the mountains, manage his effort, and maintain consistency on crucial stages makes him a strong contender to dominate the general classification in a race that leaves no room for error.

 

Two stages, three time trials

 

The EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts will kick off on Saturday, February 7th, with a 112-kilometer opening stage that will test the cyclists from day one. The route will include two key timed sections for the overall classification: the iconic climb to Ayagaures and a second effort from the Salto del Perro pass to Pasito Blanco, before a neutralized descent towards Mogán to ensure the safety of the participants. 

 

The competition will be decided on Sunday, February 8th, in the second stage, a 75-kilometer route, with a demanding final timed section of 22 kilometers finishing in Tunte, on the climb to Tirajana, where the overall winner of the 2026 edition will be known.

 

The overall winners will receive a unique trophy, handcrafted by master Evaristo, an exclusive marble piece designed especially for EPIC Gran Canaria and symbolizing the union between sport, landscape, meeting and territory.

 

With his motivation intact and the experience gained, Nicolas Ginter returns to Gran Canaria determined to turn revenge into victory and confirm his status as favorite in one of the most demanding and spectacular events on the calendar.

 

Ginter is undoubtedly one of the rivals to beat in this edition, but he won't be the only one. The EPIC, which has hosted iconic names like Alessandro Ballan, Igor Astarloa, Haimar Zubeldia, Iban Mayo, David López, Mario Cipollini, Claudio ChiapucciAnd with content creators like Ana González, Juliet Elliot, Martín Mata or Daniel Sanz, it is once again an international stage for top-level cycling.

 

The EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts event is supported by the Gran Canaria Island Sports Institute, Gran Canaria Tourism, Canary Islands Tourism, Maspalomas Costa Canaria, RIU Hotels & Resorts, Mogán Tourism, Hospiten, Free Motion, Coca-Cola, Aquabona, Greenwood, Gold Nutrition, Sport Dealer, Sonocom, AVIS Canarias, Esenat Specialized School in Health and Wellness, Xtravans, Tirma, Romantic Corp, Fund Grube, Maspalomas 24h and Gran Fondo World Tour, among others.