The second stage of the Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike delivered an intense battle against the clock in the time trial between Parque Sur and Ayagaures, where Tessa Kortekaas strengthened her overall lead and Hans Becking claimed the leader’s jersey after a decisive performance.
The stage got underway at 16:00 with staggered starts over a 23.5-kilometre course featuring 608 metres of elevation gain between Parque Sur and Ayagaures, in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. This year’s route proved more technical due to recent rainfall, combined with light winds that also influenced race dynamics.
In the women’s race, Tessa Kortekaas once again demonstrated her dominance. The overall leader executed a solid strategy from the start, setting off last and keeping full control over her rivals. The Dutch rider quickly caught Sophie Giovane, who had started ahead, and maintained her pace without taking risks on the more technical sections. Kortekaas took another stage win with a time of 1:04:49, already opening a gap at the first checkpoint in Arteara, where she was over a minute faster than Giovane.
Canarian riders Lourdes Bethencourt and Vanessa Lessa also delivered strong performances, finishing third and fourth respectively, close to the front of the race.
In the men’s race, the stage began with maximum equality, as Pedro Rodríguez and Hans Becking were tied in the overall standings after stage one. However, the defending champion made his intentions clear. Becking took advantage of a favourable tailwind early on to build a gap at the first checkpoint in Arteara, where he was already nearly one minute ahead of the rider from La Palma.
The Dutchman completed the time trial in 52 minutes and 54 seconds, securing the stage win and moving into the overall lead. The excitement remained high until the finish, with just eight seconds separating second and fourth place: Pedro Rodríguez, Wim de Bruin and Blas Rivero.
The battle for the best Canarian rider of the stage was another highlight, with Pedro Rodríguez and Blas Rivero engaged in a close head-to-head fight on the climb.
After the stage, Tessa Kortekaas reflected on her performance: “I felt strong today. I started at a high pace to keep control of the second rider, Sophie, who started just ahead of me. I caught her early and then rode at my own pace, managing the gap. Starting last is a big advantage because you have your rivals ahead and can control them, and you don’t need to take risks on the descents, where there were a lot of rocks and a mistake could mean a crash.”
Hans Becking also shared his thoughts: “It’s always a very beautiful stage, and I know it well. The tailwind helped, and I really enjoyed the feeling of riding alone against the clock in the mountains. I knew where I had to push. There are still two days to go, with longer but fun stages. Now the pressure is on me as the leader, so strategy will be key.”
After this second stage, the best Canarian rider jerseys remain in the hands of the overall leaders, Tessa Kortekaas and Pedro Rodríguez.
The race continues tomorrow with stage three, Cañón del Águila, starting at 9:30, with more than 200 bikers on the старт line. The Half modality will also debut at 11:00, covering 24.7 kilometres from Fortaleza de Ansite.
The Fred. Olsen Express Transgrancanaria Bike is organised by Arista Eventos, with Fred. Olsen Express as the main sponsor. The event is also supported by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, through Turismo de Gran Canaria and the Island Sports Institute, as well as the municipality 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.
Women’s Elite Stage 2 Results
1st Tessa Kortekaas (Massi ISB Sport) 1:04:49
2nd Sophie Giovane (Generation Velo Riders Laab-Colina Triste) 1:08:23
3rd Manuela Muresan (CD Seven Pro Cycling) 1:16:39
Women’s Elite Overall Standings
1st Tessa Kortekaas (Massi ISB Sport) 2:06:41
2nd Sophie Giovane (Generation Velo Riders Laab-Colina Triste) 2:11:44
3rd Manuela Muresan (CD Seven Pro Cycling) 2:33:40
Men’s Elite Stage 2 Results
1st Hans Becking (Buff BH Team) 0:52:54
2nd Pedro Rodríguez (Orba Orotava) 0:55:19
3rd Wim de Bruin (Bassa Biking Team) 0:55:27
Men’s Elite Overall Standings
1st Hans Becking (Buff BH Team) 1:43:22
2nd Pedro Rodríguez (Orba Orotava) 1:45:47
3rd Wim de Bruin (Bassa Biking Team) 1:48:42
Canarian Women Stage 2
1st Tessa Kortekaas (Massi ISB Sport) 1:04:49
2nd Lourdes Bethencourt (CD Z2 Bike) 1:13:52
3rd Vanessa Lessa (Club Deportivo Iduna) 1:15:13
Canarian Women Overall
1st Tessa Kortekaas (Massi ISB Sport) 2:06:41
2nd Lourdes Bethencourt (CD Z2 Bike) 2:23:55
3rd Vanessa Lessa (Club Deportivo Iduna) 2:27:17
Canarian Men Stage 2
1st Pedro Rodríguez (Orba Orotava) 0:55:19
2nd Blas Rivero (CD Z2 Bike) 0:55:27
3rd Marcos Hernández (Campin Nauta Tenerife – Ulevel) 0:58:25
Canarian Men Overall
1st Pedro Rodríguez (Orba Orotava) 1:45:47
2nd Blas Rivero (CD Z2 Bike) 1:47:35
3rd Marcos Hernández (Campin Nauta Tenerife – Ulevel) 1:55:32
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