The Cycling Tour of Lanzarote was presented at an event held this noon at the Higher Sports Council. This cycling tour will go all over the island and is included in the official UCI race calendar.
Club La Santa and the Lanzarote Island Council, organizers of the event, have brought together more than 40 guests at the event, including numerous political representatives from the Canary Islands in the General Courts, heads of public and sports entities from the islands, mayors of the municipalities of Lanzarote, and leaders of various federations and companies linked to the sector.
The event has a group of exceptional ambassadors. Alberto Contador, winner of the three major tours, who leads the EOLO KOMETA Cycling Team project, wanted to accompany Club La Santa and the Lanzarote Island Council in the presentation of the race. Alongside him, Sandra Alonso, Fran Ventoso, and Luis Pasamontes complete a cast of luxury ambassadors.
José Luis López Cerrón, president of the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation, inaugurated the event and wanted to highlight "the objective of promoting active and bicycle tourism" of the event, "a major event that is also part of the UCI's Cycling for All calendar."
Next, Ángel Sabroso, Deputy Minister of Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands, highlighted that "12% of the tourists who visit the Canary Islands come for sports reasons. This event, which is born to stay, will strengthen the sector's commitment to the vector of sports events." "It is a luxury to have Club La Santa in the Canary Islands," he concluded.
Jacobo Medina, vice president of the Lanzarote Island Council, began his speech by asking for applause for Club La Santa, "a pioneer company in sports tourism," because "without them, sports in Lanzarote would not be what it is." Medina also wanted to underline the relevance of tourism linked to cycling on the island.
On behalf of Club La Santa, co-organizer of the event, Michael Möller, Director of Sports, spoke, recalling that "this year we have completed 40 years of effort and overcoming to carry out projects like this." "Sport will always be the indispensable engine of well-being," summarized the Director of Sports of Club La Santa.
"This route has the best possible scenarios and landscapes. It is a showcase to show all sports fans the value of the island," stressed Juan Monzón, Minister of Sports of the Lanzarote Island Council.
After these initial speeches, Fabio Cabrera, Race Director of Club La Santa, held a colloquium with the ambassadors of the event. Cabrera referred to the "legacy" that the Cycling Tour of Lanzarote wishes to leave on an island "where you always see cyclists." "It is an event designed for everyone and with a beautiful and affordable route," he added.
Alberto Contador highlighted that the event "has all the attractions to be a success. Club La Santa has a lot of experience in organizing these events and that is a guarantee." Luis Pasamontes, former cyclist and sports commentator, referred to the race as "an event that will be enjoyed both by those who prepare and fight for a goal and those who come to enjoy the event and the grouping areas." For his part, former cyclist Fran Ventoso said that "it is an honor to accompany the birth of this event." "I like the bike and sharing a route with fans is very special," acknowledged professional cyclist Sandra Alonso.
To close the event, Víctor Francos, president of the CSD, said that "Lanzarote is a paradise for cycling." "Sport is a way to build your life, and events like this help to promote sport and advance the goal of reducing the social gap that occurs between boys and girls due to access to physical activity," he concluded.
The Cycling Tour of Lanzarote, a milestone in the paradise of cycling
Lanzarote is the island of cycling, of cyclists, and of sports tourism linked to bicycles. Almost 4 out of 10 people who visit the Canary Islands to practice cycling choose Lanzarote as their destination. Its unique profile and orography, its volcanic landscapes, its natural enclaves, its beaches, and the unique atmosphere of the island make it a paradise for bicycle lovers.
Therefore, the Cycling Tour of Lanzarote, which will celebrate its first edition on September 28 and 29, 2024, is a milestone. The event, organized by Club La Santa and the Lanzarote Island Council, will be the first cycling tour that goes all over the island, as its route will visit all seven municipalities of the island. In addition, it has been included in the official event calendar of the International Cycling Union (UCI). Registration for the race is now open at the following link.
The cyclists will travel a total of 180 kilometers in the two stages of the event: 115 in the queen stage of the first day, with 1,700 meters of positive elevation gain, and 75 kilometers in the second stage, with 1,000 meters of positive elevation gain. Club La Santa will place various refreshment points along the route where participants and their companions can enjoy areas with music, food, and drinks, in a festive and relaxed atmosphere that will take the event's entourage to visit the seven municipalities of Lanzarote.
The Cycling Tour of Lanzarote aims to promote the use of bicycles and active and sustainable tourism, in addition to contributing to further positioning the island as one of the reference destinations for all lovers of cycling and active life. Its concept, the environment of Lanzarote, and the experience of Club La Santa as an organizer of major national and international sports events have led the UCI to include the event in its official calendar, in the "Cycling for All" program, which promotes cycling events and promotes the use of bicycles in everyday life.
The event has the support of the Government of the Canary Islands, the Lanzarote Island Council, Lanzarote European Sports Destination by Turismo Lanzarote, and the seven town councils of the island's municipalities: Arrecife, Haría, San Bartolomé, Teguise, Tías, Tinajo, and Yaiza.
