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The EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts has crowned its champions. Matti Helminen , the Finn competing for Belgium, secured a hat trick of victories, cementing his position as the undisputed leader of the race and the fastest for the third consecutive year. The first woman to reach the summit was Manuela Mureson of Romania , who secured her place on the podium after leading the first stage.
Three-time EPIC Gran Canaria Hotels & Resorts champion Matti Helminen completed the course in a total time of 2 hours, 47 minutes and 46 seconds (2h 47' 46'' hours), ahead of Italian Davide Rebellin (2h 48' 45'' hours) and Spaniard Constantin Bartels (2h 52' 40'' hours).
In the girls' race, Manuela Muresan led by several minutes (3h 19' 48'' hours), sharing the podium with the Swede Susan Maclean (3h 22' 23'' hours) and the Polish Marta Keller-Kurach (3h 27' 45'' hours).
Another resounding success, a fifth edition of the highest caliber, a leap forward in quality, and a peloton of stars have brought the fifth edition of Gran Canaria's premier cyclotourist event to a close. The best possible atmosphere and an unparalleled sporting spectacle unfolded, with three top riders taking center stage in a climb fit for titans. Matti Helminen was joined by a leading group that quickly broke away from the peloton to tackle the ascent to Tunte. This group, comprised of warriors—Italian Davide Rebellin , Basque rider Haimar Zubeldia , and Spaniard Constantin Bartels —demonstrated their peak physical condition, facing a challenging time trial up the mountain. Davide Rebellin led the way with a time of 50 minutes and 24 seconds, followed by Matti Helminen in 50 minutes and 27 seconds, and Haimar Zubeldia just one second behind in 50 minutes and 28 seconds.
Helminen described this stage as "very tough" because it was "a constant onslaught," and competing with Zebeldia and Rebellin was a great experience where everyone was very evenly matched. Rebellin said that this island is the "best training," although he confessed that what he likes most is that "this race is always a party." Zubeldia emphasized that this is a race "to enjoy with the people, with extraordinary weather," and an island that "never disappoints." It was "an hour-long climb in a three-man race that was unique."
In today's stage for the women, Manuela Muresan set the fastest time (1 hour 1 minute 38 seconds), with Susan Maclean finishing second (1 hour 01 minutes 37 seconds) and Marta Keller-Kurach shortly after (02 hour 05 minutes 17 seconds). Muresan expressed her delight and gratitude for being able to compete on the island and for her performance in today's stage. She described the race as "a very beautiful competition." Proudly wearing her yellow jersey, the Romanian rider invited cycling enthusiasts "to participate, enjoy themselves, and relax on the island."
In the team category, the RIU Team group led the classification with a total time of 12 hours 55 minutes and 38 seconds, with Loro Parque Tenerife Los Silos (13 hours 27 seconds), another RIU Team formation (13 hours, 29 minutes and 15 seconds) and Irichen (15 hours 46 minutes and 55 seconds).
The second stage determined the podium with a single, tough, demanding timed section for the fastest riders. This 75-kilometer stage features a 22-kilometer uphill time trial from the Mirador viewpoint, passing through Fataga and ending in Tirajana , reaching an altitude of 925 meters, with an elevation gain of 810 meters and average gradients of 4%.
The party has begun in the town of Tunte, which has been buzzing with cycling excitement since early morning. Live music, entertainment, and the perfect atmosphere to recharge for the descent on one of the island's most popular cycling routes, passing through Santa Lucía, La Era, Vecindario, Doctoral, and Bahía Feliz along the GC-65 and GC-500, before meeting up again at the hotel where the grand sporting celebration will begin.
Fondriest joins the list of world champions
A world champion joined the second stage of the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts. Maurizio Fondriest , who is training in Gran Canaria, joined the competition, cycling alongside his daughter Carlotta Fondriest.
With him there are now three world champions competing in the most popular cycling event in southern Gran Canaria, with four world titles in total, in addition to several record holders and champions of the Vuelta and Giro.
Batucada and rhythm to say goodbye to the event of the year
A red carpet welcomed the athletes upon their arrival at the RIU Palace Maspalomas, where everything was ready for the grand celebration of sport . Batucada drumming, carnival troupes, Riki Saxo playing live, and several drag performers amidst a dazzling array of entertainment brought the party atmosphere to Maspalomas, a prelude to a communal paella and a spectacular podium. The EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts returns in February 2023.
Teamwork
For its V edition, the 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 and Turismo Gran Canaria, and within the framework of the European Island project. Sport, AVIS Canarias, Coca Cola, AquaBona, Maspalomas24h, La Estrella, Sonocom, Free Motion, Phisiorelax, Esenat, Fund Grube.
