The event, part of the UCI calendar, takes place from May 15 to 18 with Tessa Kortekaas and Hans Becking as favorites to win
“Gran Canaria is the sports engine of the Canary Islands,” says Aridany Romero, Sports Councilor of the Gran Canaria Island Council
Less than 24 hours remain until the return of a new edition of the Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike. From May 15 to 18, the south of Gran Canaria will host over 360 cyclists, including several top riders in the discipline. Once again, the race will award points in the UCI S2 category and stands as the most important Cross Country Marathon (XCM) event in the Canary Islands.
The official presentation of this tenth edition took place on Wednesday at the press room of the Gran Canaria Arena, with authorities, sponsors, and cyclist Luis Ángel Maté, who will participate for the fifth consecutive year.
Aridany Romero, Sports Councilor of the Gran Canaria Island Council, emphasized the importance of “collaboration between institutions” to make events of this caliber possible. “When a great team like Arista Eventos joins a sporting project, institutions take the bait because we know it will be a success,” he stated, referring to the event’s organizing company. “We understand the winning combination of physical activity and tourism, and our international projection is enriched thanks to these major sporting events,” he continued. Romero concluded by stating, “Gran Canaria is the sporting engine of the Canary Islands,” highlighting “our logistical, hospitality, and connectivity capabilities.”
Carlos Álamo, Tourism Councilor of the Gran Canaria Island Council, noted that events organized by Arista Eventos “bring media attention and spotlight the location where they are held.” “It’s an opportunity for us to showcase the beauty and athleticism of this race to athletes around the world and the many visitors who come to Gran Canaria to practice their favorite sport,” he said. “Our island has become a beloved destination for cyclists, with top-level athletes preparing for professional competitions here,” Álamo concluded.
Ramón Suárez, Sports Councilor of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council, stressed that events like the Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike “highlight our island’s natural surroundings and show that Maspalomas is a paradise for cycling.” “An international event of this scale boosts tourism promotion for our destination, Maspalomas Costa Canaria, attracting elite athletes and sports tourism,” he added.
Tahiche Romero, regional commercial promoter for Fred. Olsen Express, said, “We are proud to be part of a race that combines effort, sport, and nature, and highlights the beauty of Gran Canaria.”
The event also featured cyclist Luis Ángel Maté, who has competed in 18 Grand Tours during his professional career and has earned three podium finishes in the Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike. “This race has become one of the most important events on the international cycling calendar,” Maté said. “You are incredibly lucky to live in a place that is ideal for cycling, and as an athlete, it’s a great privilege to come to Gran Canaria every year,” the Marbella-born rider added.
Carlos González, race director of the Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike, explained that the race is “evolving to become more attractive for both amateur and elite riders.” Regarding the 2025 edition, he highlighted the new XCO circuit and the goal of “offering a more varied race with diverse routes, so both recreational and elite cyclists can find their personal challenge in the All Stages or individual stages.” He also emphasized the importance of public and private support: “Reaching this level of quality is impossible without the support of institutions—we provide the technical side, and their backing enables us to make it happen.”
Tessa Kortekaas and Hans Becking, Top Favorites for the 2025 Victory
The 2025 edition will feature two big names for the general classification: Tessa Kortekaas (Cannondale ISB Sport) and Hans Becking (Buff Megamo Team). The Dutch cyclist based in Lanzarote was runner-up in the 2024 race and currently ranks 10th in the UCI standings. She recently won three races: Club La Santa 4 Stage MTB Lanzarote, Andalucía Bike Race by Garmin, and 4Islands Epic.
Meanwhile, Hans Becking will aim for his third consecutive win in the Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike, having dominated the last two editions. The five-time XCM national champion recently claimed a decisive victory at 4Islands Epic.
Other top riders returning to Gran Canaria include Luis Ángel Maté (fifth in 2024) and MTB legend José Antonio Hermida, Olympic medalist in 2004 and world champion in 2010, who finished second in the Master 40 category last year.
The Canary Islands’ Elite to Compete in Gran Canaria
Confirmed participants include Manuela Muresan (BikeXpert Superbet), a Romanian cyclist living in Gran Canaria, who won the race in 2020 and 2022 and placed fourth overall in 2024. Other standout Canary Islands riders include:
- Vanessa Lessa (1st in Master 30, 2024)
- Elizabeth Breval (GE7 BIKE ARUCAS, 2nd in Master 30)
- Isabel Castro (BIKE POINT TENERIFE, 3rd in Master 30)
- Cathaysa Sánchez (BIKE POINT TENERIFE, 2nd in Master 40, 2024)
Notable male participants include:
- Blas Rivero (Z2 Bike), top Canarian in 2024 and 11th overall, with podium finishes in 2019 (3rd) and 2020 (2nd)
- Néstor Rodríguez (RIU Team), 12th overall and 3rd in Master 40
- Guzmán Travieso (GE7 BIKE ARUCAS), 2nd in Master 50 last year
Four Open Stages in the South of Gran Canaria
Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike 2025 kicks off this Thursday with a four-stage format. Participants can race in all of them (All Stages) or choose individual stages.
- Stage 1 (Thursday): Starts at 9:30 a.m., circular route of 45.6 km with 470 m elevation gain, covering the southern and eastern Amurga massif and part of the Tirajana ravine.
- Stage 2 (Friday): Timed 23.5 km stage with 608 m elevation gain, starts at 4:00 p.m. from Parque Sur to Ayagaures, individual starts.
- Stage 3 (Saturday): The highly anticipated XCO stage, a major new feature this year—six laps of a closed 5.5 km circuit with 700 m elevation gain in the Maspalomas ravine.
- Stage 4 (Sunday): The longest stage at 69.7 km with 1,261 m elevation gain. It features long stretches for fast riding and rolling terrain, starting and ending at the event’s hub, Parque Sur in Maspalomas. This final stage also includes an E-Bike category, starting in Ayagaures and finishing at Parque Sur.
The Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike is organized by Arista Eventos and sponsored primarily by Fred. Olsen Express. It also receives support from the Gran Canaria Island Council via the Tourism Board and the Island Sports Institute, as well as from the Government of the Canary Islands through “Islas Canarias Latitud de Vida.” Additional support comes from the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council, Maspalomas Costa Canaria, and companies such as 226ERS, Dunas Hotels & Resorts, Gobik, Emicela, Pepsi, Aguas de Teror, Lorenzo González Automoción, Gofio La Piña, Sonocom, Provital, and Inetel.
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