MADRID, 2 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
On February 10 and 11, the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts will have part of the Italian army faithful to this race on its starting line with the presence again of 'El Diablo', Claudio Chiappucci, who returns to the island to climb the landscapes of Gran Canaria.
Chiappucci, one of the toughest rivals to beat in the 80s and 90s, continues to play after being known for his leg power and his talent for big climbs. During his career 'El Diablo' accumulated historic feats such as the 13th stage of the 1992 Tour de France, one of the most demanding on the circuit.
The Italian stood up to the Spaniard Miguel Induráin and his record includes titles such as the Giro de Piedmont, the Coppa Placci, the mountain grand prix in the Giro d'Italia, the Milan-San Remo, the mountain and combative grand prix of the Tour de France, the San Sebastián Classic, the Coppa Sabatini, the Japan Cup, the Tre Valli Varesine or the Giro de Piedmont, as well as podiums in Giro and Tour.
'El Diablo' will be one of the special guests of this edition of the EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts, the most special in its entire history, which consolidates its international leap as a world headquarters that will crown the champions of the world in the Gran Fondo World Championship, the first world cycling sports ranking for amateurs.
The EPIC Gran Canaria RIU Hotels & Resorts takes place in two stages. The first stage has 115 kilometers and two timed sections, starting from the Mirador de las Dunas de Maspalomas at the RIU Palace Maspalomas, and a circuit that runs through Arteara, Fataga, Tirajana and El Pajar to Pasito Blanco.
The opening day will test the endurance of the competitors with its first timed section between Aqualand and Ayagaures, with the finish line at the Pedro González summit and 12.3 kilometers of challenge at 470 meters of altitude and an average inclination of 4.4%. .
The second time trial begins in Pasito Blanco on its ascent to Ayacata, with 45 kilometers and 1,304 meters high, with a demanding average slope of 4.7% crowning El Pajar, Cercados de Espino, Soria, Barranquillo Andrés, the Las Niñas dam to the top of Ayacata. A fast, explosive stage surrounded by some of the best landscapes in Gran Canaria.
With a starting line at the RIU Palace Maspalomas hotel, this stage will take cyclists to Fataga and Tirajana, with an altitude of 925 meters and a gradient of 810 meters, with average slopes of 4%. The EPIC Gran Canaria will take over iconic routes on the island such as the GC-65 and the GC-500, in a circuit with the best landscapes of Santa Lucía, La Era, Vecindario, Doctoral and Bahía Feliz.