Participants from twelve different nationalities will tackle 163 kilometers of timed stages over four days, starting next Thursday. During the race presentation, Francisco Castellano, the Sports Councilor, stated that this is one of the UCI events, and for the Ministry of Sports it is one of the reference races in the world of cycling.

La octava edición de la Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike ya está en marcha. La prueba de mountain bike, puntuable por primera vez para la Unión Ciclista Internacional (UCI), ha sido presentada esta mañana en el Gran Canaria Arena donde se ha anunciado la participación de más de 230 ciclistas procedentes de doce países. Los riders se enfrentarán a partir del próximo jueves a 163 kilómetros cronometrados en cuatro etapas en las que descubrirán el interior de Gran Canaria. Los favoritos para la victoria son los ciclistas del equipo Buff – Megamo Team, la suiza Janina Wust y el holandés Hans Becking.

The eighth edition of the Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike is already underway. This morning, the mountain bike race, recognized by the UCI for the first time, was presented at the Gran Canaria Arena. The event will see the participation of over 230 cyclists from twelve different countries. From next Thursday onwards, the riders will face 163 kilometers of timed stages over four days, exploring the hidden interior of Gran Canaria. The top contenders for victory include the cyclists from Buff – Megamo Team, Swiss rider Janina Wust, and Dutch rider Hans Becking.

Francisco Castellano, the Sports Councilor of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, expressed his gratitude to the organizer, Arista Eventos, and the sponsor companies for their support in this bike race, emphasizing that its growing every year. He stated that this is one of the eight stage mountain bike races in Spain with over 200 registered participants. And for this reason, it is one of the foremost events in the world of cycling for the Ministry of Sports.

Samuel Henríquez and Alberto Díaz, Sports Councilors of the municipalities of San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Artenara, also spoke about the significance of the race. Henríquez stated that it was an honor and a pleasure for San Bartolomé de Tirajana to maintain its commitment to Arista and the Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike, one of the most important events on the island, culminating at Parque Sur in Maspalomas.

Díaz invited the cyclists to explore Artenara, the location of the second stage. During the press conference he encouraged the riders to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of Artenara, meet the people and savor their gastronomy. He also expressed his gratitude to Arista Eventos and the Cabildo de Gran Canaria for their collaboration in making sports a vital point in the municipality, which holds a deep appreciation for cycling. He also emphasized that they are really looking forward the arrival of all participants next Friday.

Lorenzo Spinelli, Sales Manager of Fred. Olsen Express, the main sponsor of the mountain bike race, highlighted the ongoing importance of raising the bar each year. He stated how delighted they are to collaborate once again in a race that continues to prioritize environmental stewardship and the spirit of sports, values that they share as a company.

Cyclist Celina Carpinteiro, a two-time Portuguese mountain bike champion, was also present at the press conference. She expressed this is her fifth time in Gran Canaria, but the first time she will be competing in a race. Carpinteiro also congratulated the organization and everyone involved in making it a UCI-recognized event, recognizing that this milestone will undoubtedly attract more participants next year. Moreover, she stated that she will make a personal effort to promote the race because she really loves this island.

Wendy Cruz, director of the Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike stated that being recognized as a UCI race has been a significant challenge for them, as it involves designing a four-day race and meeting the criteria for approval by the UCI commissioner. She mentioned that they also have the opportunity to promote Gran Canaria worldwide, as riders do when they train in the island during winter period, and also now as a UCI race.

The Fred. Olsen Transgrancanaria Bike will begin at four o’clock in the afternoon next Thursday with a fast 16-kilometer uphill time trial, linking Bocabarranco in Telde to Era de la Mota in Valsequillo. Riders will explore the picturesque landscape of the Telde  ravine, which has been adapted over the past years for sporting activities.

The following day, the teams will head to Artenara to face the most challenging stage, a demanding 35.5-kilometer circular route with an elevation gain of 1,400 meters. On Saturday, the vibrant peloton will set off from El Garañón, descending towards the awe-inspiring Chira Dam. The finish line will be located in Cercados de Araña, with a loop through one of the most spectacular landscapes of Gran Canaria.

The southern part of the island will be the focal point of the fourth and final stage, which spans a considerable distance of 67.9 kilometers and includes a positive elevation gain of 1,620 meters. The route will commence at Parque Sur, and the riders will progress towards Ayagaures and Arteara. Afterward, they will return to Maspalomas before heading towards El Pajar and Lomo Galeón. The race will culminate at Parque Sur, marking the exciting conclusion of the eighth edition of the Transgrancanaria Bike.

Among over 230 participants, Janina Wust from Switzerland’s Buff – Megamo Team emerges as the leading contender among the women. Janina is currently the Marathon European runner-up and holds the international third position in the UCI standings. However, she will face formidable competition from German cyclist Naida Madlen, Portuguese rider Celina Carpinteiro, and Romanian rider Manuela Muresan. Within the local riders, Luna Perdomo Ruano and Mónica Raquel Reyes Navarro are anticipated to compete strongly for victory.

Another two riders of the Buff – Megamo Team are among the candidates to win the overall classification. Dutch rider Hans Becking and Portuguese rider José Días will be rivals this time after competing as a pair in the legendary Cape Epic in South Africa. Both will compete for victory against renowned international cyclists such as Luis Ángel Maté from the Euskaltel team, who finished third in the previous edition, and veteran rider José Antonio Hermida, silver medalist at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Noteworthy local riders include Arístides González, Blas Rivero, and Miguel Limiñana, who are sure to be in contention for top positions.

The Fred. Olsen Express TransgrancanariaBikeissupportedbythe Cabildo de Gran Canaria through Turismo de Gran Canaria and Gran Canaria Isla Europea del Deporte, as well as Promotur – Turismo de Canarias, Maspalomas Costa Canaria, and Fred. Olsen Express. CollaboratingcompaniesincludeGobik, Emicela, Lorenzo González Automoción, Gofio La Piña, Provital, Inerza, Vivac Aventura and Aguacana, as well as themunicipalitiesof Telde, Valsequillo, Artenara, Tejeda, and San Bartolomé de Tirajana.

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