Tessa Kortekaas and Pedro Rodríguez claimed victory in the first stage of the Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike 2026, an opening day of this UCI S2-ranked event that brought together more than 200 riders on the start line in Lomo Magullo, Telde. Telde City Councillor Juan Martel officially started the race, showing his support for an event with strong local involvement. Riders enjoyed outstanding weather conditions, with a light breeze that favored the peloton throughout the stage.
A very fast pace
This Thursday marked the start of the 11th edition of the Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike with a 21-kilometre route and 847 metres of positive elevation gain, a highly technical course through the volcanic landscapes of Rosiana.
During the early part of the race, local Canary Islands riders led the stage. La Palma’s Pedro Rodríguez, making his debut in the event, together with Blas Rivero and Marcos Hernández, set the pace alongside three-time race winner Hans Becking on the opening climbs of this intense stage.
In the women’s race, defending champion Tessa Kortekaas set a strong early pace, followed within less than a minute by France’s Sophie Giovane. Behind them came the Canary Islands trio of Vanessa Lessa, Lourdes Bethencourt and Manuela Muresan.
As the race progressed, Pedro Rodríguez and Dutch rider Hans Becking broke away from the leading group. At the first checkpoint in Aguatona, the Canary rider opened a gap of eight seconds over his rival. Becking later bridged the gap, setting up a final sprint finish in Lomo Magullo, where the young Canary rider ultimately took the win.
Kortekaas maintained her rhythm until the final climb, with Sophie Giovane the only rider relatively close, although the final margin stretched to one and a half minutes at Plaza de las Nieves.
Winner quotes
Tessa Kortekaas (women’s leader):
“It was a very fast first stage, full gas from the start. I went out too hard and on the final climb, which was quite technical and rocky, my legs were already very tired. What I’ve seen of the landscape and the climbs is very beautiful, different from previous editions of the Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike. Tomorrow in the time trial I’ll be able to control things a bit more since I start last. It will be another all-out day with 23 km of climbing—very tough—but we’ll give it everything and see how it goes.”
Pedro Rodríguez (men’s leader):
“A fast stage, around 50 minutes of racing. I’m really happy with my performance. It’s four days of mountain biking on the island and it’s always a luxury to come to Gran Canaria, especially the south, which is very different from what I have in La Palma. I set the pace from the beginning, Hans and I went clear, I opened a small gap but then he closed it. We arrived almost together for the final sprint, trying not to make any mistakes. The weather was perfect, a bit cool, and now it’s time to focus on the next stages.”
Tessa and Pedro were also the best Canary Islands residents on the day, in addition to being overall leaders. As a result, tomorrow the Best Canary Rider jersey will be worn by today’s second-place finishers, their CD Z2 Bike teammates Lourdes Bethencourt and Blas Rivero.
Next stage
On Friday, the Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike 2026 peloton will move to the south of the island for a demanding 23.5 km uphill individual time trial, starting at Parque Sur in Maspalomas and finishing in Ayagaures. This stage is expected to be key in shaping the first significant gaps in the general classification. The race will start at 16:00.
The Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike is organized by Arista Eventos with main sponsorship from Fred. Olsen Express. The event is also supported by the Gran Canaria Cabildo through Turismo de Gran Canaria and the Insular Sports Institute, as well as the municipalities of San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Maspalomas Costa Canaria. Additional partners include Universidad Fernando Pessoa Canarias, 226ERS, Dunas Hotels & Resorts, Gobik, Pepsi, Aguas de Teror, Gofio La Piña, Bonflex, Provital and Inetel.
Clasificación femenina élite primera etapa y general
1ª Tessa Kortekaas (Massi ISB Sport)
2ª Sophie Giovane (Generation Velo riders Laab-Colina Triste)
3ª Manuela Muresan (CD Seven Pro Cycling)
Clasificación masculina élite primera etapa y general
1º Pedro Rodríguez (Orba Orotava)
2º Hans Becking (Buff BH Team)
3º Luis Ángel Maté (CC Marbella)
Clasificación femenina líder canaria primera etapa y general
1ª Tessa Kortekaas (Massi ISB Sport)
2ª Lourdes Bethencourt (CD Z2 Bike)
3ª Vanessa Lessa (Club Deportivo Iduna)
Clasificación masculina líder canario etapa y general
1º Pedro Rodríguez (Orba Orotava)
2º Blas Rivero (CD Z2 Bike)
3º Marcos Hernández (Campin Nauta Tenerife – Ulevel)
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