The EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts has had the greats in the history of international cycling in the same space, who have shared with professionals, amateurs and amateurs the tricks and secrets of a “very tough” race, as they have defined it.
Introduced by journalist Felipe del Rosario, Abraham Olano emphasized that they "broke the mold," as there was a previous limitation that "a Spaniard couldn't win a world championship," and it was crucial that they crossed that line. It was difficult "to mentally prepare for that." Cycling is a "tough" sport, and those participating this weekend in the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts "know well how much sacrifice it takes to reach the top," and those who have traveled that path to the summit "value that effort, and that's why we recognize and value each other."
Haimar Zubeldia shared the same sentiment , noting that he got into cycling by following in his father's footsteps, a fan of recreational cycling events. Before reaching the top, "I tried everything until I found my niche, in this case road cycling, which is where I saw my path to becoming a professional." He emphasized that winning brings a sense of accomplishment, but also a feeling of satisfaction when working as part of a team.
Davide Rebellin has been a cyclist for almost thirty years and says he feels physically fit to continue riding. After an injury, he considered retiring from competition, but he will extend "this passion" as long as possible. Cycling "helps you stay in shape, it's a lifestyle," and he says he "will maintain it and continue beyond his competitive career."
For Rebellin, cycling “is very different now, and I preferred the old way because of the way the race was approached and the way of competing.” Now, “from kilometer zero to the finish, there’s a lot of tension.” The level “has increased a lot,” and there’s “a very high level, in terms of training, nutrition, also at a psychological and technical level, and with a lot of evolution in cycling and aerodynamics.”
Haimar Zubeldia stated emphatically that "youngsters are very professional from a very young age; the gap between amateur and professional has narrowed." Before, "you'd start to stand out at 26, now it's at 20," and psychologically, "some are finding it hard to accept." Being a professional "entails all of that."
Zubeldia has pointed out that he and his teammates “turned the hobby into a job” and at the end of the competition life “we continue on the bicycle, the bicycle finds you again”, as has happened to many during today's training day in the roads of Gran Canaria.
According to Olano , the kids "come with social media under their arm, they handle the pressure better than we did in our time," they "have always worked on it and deal with it more easily than we did."
They have also addressed questions from the attendees, about training, nutrition, recovery, the pressure that an athlete endures and technical aspects of the best tricks to reach the top. They agree that nutrition is key, and “before we arrived at the races over kilometers, now everything is much more measured and studied,” Olano assured.
The fifth edition of the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts will feature German paracyclist Michael Teuber, 20-time world champion; Mario Cipollini, two-time world champion and Giro d'Italia record holder; Abraham Olano, world champion ; Haimar Zubeldia , track and cyclocross rider with 29 Grand Tours and a Tour de France top-10 finish; Joseba Beloki, three-time Tour de France podium finisher; and Davide Rebellin , World Cup runner-up and Olympian. These are just a few of the cycling stars gathering for this event, which will also include Claudio Chiappucci, "El Diavolo," a Tour and Giro podium finisher; Fred Rompelberg, the world speed record holder at 268 km/h; Martín Mata Cabello, the Spanish M30 Cyclocross champion; and Matti Helminen, the Finnish champion who has won the last few editions and is looking to defend his title with a third victory in Gran Canaria. just some of the stars of this edition.
Olano and Fondriest on the same road
Olano had a chance encounter on the roads of Gran Canaria, where Haimar Zubeldia recounted how moved he was to see Abraham Olano and Maurizio Fondriest , who is also training on the island and were "two of my idols," recognize each other and meet again.
Olano noted that the island of Gran Canaria is designed for “enjoying the good weather and the excellent roads,” and is “an ideal place to kick off the season.” María Ángeles Rodríguez echoed this sentiment , emphasizing the importance for the municipality of hosting this event and the star-studded lineup it attracts. For San Bartolomé de Tirajana, “it is an honor” to host this competition, which showcases Maspalomas to the world as a top-tier sporting destination.
First stage: February 12
The first stage, consisting of 115 kilometers and two timed sections, will be held on February 12.
Starting at 8:30 a.m. from the Maspalomas Dunes viewpoint at the RIU Palace Maspalomas, the competition's flagship event will take athletes along one of the island's most popular cycling routes. The route, beginning at the foot of the Maspalomas Dunes, passes through Arteara, Fataga, Tirajana, and El Pajar before reaching Pasito Blanco.