Bangert and Zubeldia, duel of titans in the first stage of the EPIC Gran Canaria

                   

ALL THE IMAGES FROM THE 6TH EPIC GRAN CANARIA ARE IN THIS LINK

 

 

The German cyclist, in his debut in the Gran Canaria race, broke away from the peloton with a courageous attack just minutes after the start, raising the bar and showcasing cycling at its finest. Wearing number 68, this rising star made history with a climb that left everyone speechless, and with the privilege of having a champion by his side, Haimar Zubeldia, in a tireless and unbeatable partnership from start to finish. A tough, cold, and rainy day added several challenges to the ascent of Gran Canaria's summit, with a 115-kilometer stage and two timed sections.

 

Nick Bangert stopped the clock in first position with a sum of the two times of 1 hour, 59 minutes and 50 seconds (1h59'50”), followed by the national Haimar Zubeldia with a total of 1 hour 59 minutes and 59 seconds (1h59'59”) and the Canary Islander Blas Arturo Rivero with a time of 2 hours 8 minutes and 1 second (2h08'01”).

 

Nick Bangert was very happy with his role today, in a stage that he described as "very hard" due to "the rain and the cold" but at the same time "very fun." As he has pointed out, the weather has complicated the race but that has raised the level and the demand. “We had a great time,” he said, something that Haimar Zubeldia agreed with, who has enjoyed the routes of Gran Canaria in a rhythm shared with the champion who has demonstrated his good form and his love for this sport.

 

 

In the women's race, the all-time leader of the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels&Resorts, Romanian cyclist Manuela Muresan , emerged as the favorite to take the title with an accumulated time of 2 hours, 32 minutes, and 29 seconds (2h32'29”), cementing her status as the rider to beat in each edition. The second to cross the finish line was Dutch cyclist Chantal Mariëlle Boer with an accumulated time of 2 hours, 37 minutes, and 35 seconds, followed by Polish athlete Marta Keller-Kurach with 2 hours, 45 minutes, and 56 seconds (2h45'56”).

 

Starting at 8:30 a.m. from the Mirador de las Dunas de Maspalomas at the RIU Palace Maspalomas, the competition's flagship event followed one of the island's most popular cycling routes, passing through Arteara, Fataga, Tirajana, and El Pajar before reaching Pasito Blanco. In the first timed section, Bangert and Zubeldia, leading the race, set a blistering pace from Aqualand to Ayagaures, ultimately exceeding expectations by crossing the finish line at the summit of Pedro González. This 12,3-kilometer climb, with an altitude of 470 meters , a total elevation gain of 460 meters, and an average gradient of 4,4% , saw them emerge as clear winners. They maintained their strength throughout the second timed section, riding together from Pasito Blanco on the ascent to Ayacata, a 45-kilometer climb at 1.304 meters, which they completed without showing any signs of fatigue.

 

With a temperature of 8,5 degrees in Ayacata, a very cold first stage in the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels&Resorts tested the speed, endurance and skill of the more than 420 participants.

 

 

Cyclists experienced a Saturday of cycling and the great challenge of the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels&Resorts, with its explosive climb and unique landscapes. The island of Gran Canaria showcases its best side for cycling in the midlands, attracting hundreds of loyal athletes and many who joined for the first time. The start was filled with nerves and excitement, and a parade of stars, including Iban Mayo, Joseba Beloki, Haimar Zubeldia , and the two-time champion and Italian record holder Mario Cipollini , cut the ribbon.

 

Tomorrow, the final stage

 

The second stage will determine the podium with a single timed section, fast and powerful, covering 75 kilometers , with a 22-kilometer time trial uphill from the Mirador, with a route that passes through Fataga to Tirajana , with an altitude of 925 meters, a slope of 810 meters and average gradients of 4%.

 

The route will arrive in the village of Tunte, where this annual cycling festival will take place, featuring live music, entertainment, and a fantastic atmosphere. In this mountain village, a popular meeting point for recharging, the descent began 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 roads, before returning to the hotel where the grand sporting event will commence.