Francesc Guerra and Manuela Muresan, champions of the Fred Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike 2020

The Catalonian and the Romanian won in both days showing their power in the second stage with its finish line in Maspalomas.

Gabriel Herrera and Kerrie O’Brien win the Intense modality while Fernando Peña and Mariana Alonso win the Ansite.

The Fred Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike has put its final touch today in Maspalomas. For second year, the wonderful Expomeloneras has hosted the finish line of all the races that make up this sporting event, which has been held with all the health measures thanks to the support of Cabildo de Gran Canaria.

Almost 400 participants took part in the fifth edition of this event, highlighted by the new protocols that have been activated to guarantee a safe event. Single starts, the obligation to wear a mask, the constant hygiene of the refreshment posts and the absence of public have characterized the event, which on Sunday’s stage has seen how the heat and the strong wind have reigned in the southern part of the island.

In purely sporting terms, the favorites have fulfilled their condition. In a race that asks for a high level from the competitors due to the timing and neutralized sections, the two world champions present in the event won the most famous modality. The catalan Francesc Guerra, winner in three previous editions, has achieved today a historic record by winning the overall classification of the two stages proving to be the absolute king of a race that suits him like a glove.

Two cyclists from the Canary Islands did their best to occupy honorable positions in the general classification, completing two stages: Blas Rivero and Néstor Rodríguez took second and third place on the podium, respectively, raising the regional pavilion.

As for the women’s competition, the romanian world champion Manuela Muresan fulfilled the forecasts that placed her as the great candidate for the first position and shone with her own light in her first participation in the Fred Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike. She led both stages and set an impossible-to-beat record by her rivals. Canary Islands cyclists Lourdes Bethencourt and Noelia Robles will stand on the podium at the awards ceremony, which will be held at an event after the race for safety reasons.

Provisional times Two Stages 2020 (120 km in two stages)

1. Francesc Guerra – 03:12:45
2. Blas Arturo Rivero – 03:19:13
3. Nestor Rodriguez – 03:32:21

1. Manuela Muresan – 04:21:27
2. Lourdes Bethencourt – 04:33:31
3. Noelia Robles – 05:35:45

The other two categories started on Sunday morning. The 80-kilometre Intense started from “El Garañón” facilities as the most crowded of the event, with nearly 200 registered competitors who started in five batches. Among them, the fastest was Gabriel Herrera, with a considerable gap over his opponents. Rogelio Ramos and Junior Suárez completed the podium. Among the women, Kerrie O’Brien defended her title won in 2019 and was the first to reach the finish line in Maspalomas. Yolanda Lozano and María Reyes Montes followed the irish as the best qualifiers on Sunday.

Provisional times Intense 2020 (80 km, El Garañón – Maspalomas)

1. Gabriel Herrera – 02:39:06
2. Rogelio Ramos – 02:55:57
3. Junior Suárez – 02:57:48

1. Kerrie O’Brien – 03:56:28
2. Yolanda Lozano – 04:50:22
3. Maria Reyes Montes – 04:51:13

In the shortest race of the event’s programme, the Ansite, more than 100 cyclists set off at 09:00 hours from Santa Lucía to cover the last 50 kilometres of the Fred Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike. Fernando Peña, who had reigned supreme in the longer distances in previous editions, was the undisputed winner of the race. Daniel Santana and Abel Redondo were second and third, respectively. The champion and only participant in the women’s category to complete the course was Mariana Alonso.

Provisional times Ansite 2020 (50 km, Santa Lucia – Maspalomas) 

1. Fernando Peña – 01:56:40
2. Daniel Santana – 02:14:01
3. Abel Redondo – 02:14:39

1. Mariana Alonso – 04:30:03

Fred Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike closes the curtain on its most special edition. The organisation of sporting events in the current condition is reactivated thanks to the health measures that have been done over the last few months. This race is promoted by “Cabildo de Gran Canaria” through the “Instituto Insular de Deportes” and the “Patronato de Turismo”, both of which are involved in this event.

The sponsorships of Fred Olsen Express, Maspalomas – Costa Canaria, the city councils of Artenara and Santa Lucía and Expomeloneras have made it possible to hold the race, which was organised by Arista Eventos and Vivac Aventura. The health deployment of Provital has also been exemplary and has ensured the safety of all athletes, while the collaboration of the companies Aguacana, Fuente Umbría and Inerza has been vital for the success of the fifth edition of this event.