The Cycling Tour of Lanzarote has celebrated its second and final stage, thus culminating a first edition that has been a great success. At the Club La Santa finish line, Lourdes Oyarbide and Pedro López were proclaimed winners of the general time trial by adding the times of the three time trial sections of the event, the first cyclotourism race that runs throughout the island and is part of the UCI calendar "Cycling for all".
On this day, starting in Puerto del Carmen, the more than 500 cyclists faced 74 kilometers, with a cumulative positive elevation gain of over 1,000 meters, and traveled through characteristic enclaves of the south and west of the island, such as Playa Blanca and Yaiza. Throughout the entire route, and in each regrouping area, they have been accompanied by hundreds of people who have added color and atmosphere to every corner of the island.
If in the first stage we were able to enjoy a time trial in which Laurens Verluyten and Lourdes Oyarbide won, today's stage included two timed sections that offered a great spectacle. In the first, of 5.3 kilometers, between Las Casitas and Femes, Alejandro Valverde and Oyarbide again set the best times in the men's and women's categories, respectively.
The second time trial started from the beginning of the Timanfaya road and consisted of 12.7 kilometers to Mancha Blanca, with an average gradient of 3%. Abel Rodríguez and, once again, Lourdes Oyarbide, achieved victory.
Adding the times of the three timed sections (the two from today and the one from yesterday), the cyclist from Álava and Pedro López have established themselves as the best time trialists.
On the other hand, Gabriel Acosta and Nanna Espensen have achieved the best total time at the finish line in the men's and women's categories, respectively. As for the team classification, "Los desechados" and "¡Qué necesidad!" have managed to prevail in each category.
The Cycling Tour of Lanzarote has also featured a luxury lineup that included great figures of Spanish cycling such as Alberto Contador, Alejandro Valverde, Carlos Verona, Lourdes Oyarbide, and Luis Pasamontes. Contador has stated that participating in this type of event "is very beautiful" because it gives you "the opportunity to ride while chatting and commenting on the places you pass through and anecdotes from the past." "It's about enjoying," the former cyclist remarked.
For his part, Carlos Verona referred to the event as "a very organized event, we are having a good time and sharing what unites us, which is the passion for cycling."
With a total of 189 kilometers covered, the first edition of the Cycling Tour of Lanzarote culminates two days of cycling, spectacular images, a great atmosphere, and unforgettable memories that have united the seven municipalities of the island and thus begins a legacy that has the vocation to continue growing. The festive atmosphere, the participation of everyone, and the passion for cycling and sports in a unique enclave like Lanzarote have been a constant in this premiere of the race.
The event has mobilized more than 300 people including organizers, volunteers, and security. In addition, it has had the support of the main local and regional public institutions, such as the Government of the Canary Islands, the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Promotur Turismo de Lanzarote, Lanzarote Sports Destination by Turismo Lanzarote, the seven town councils of the island, and other private sponsors that give a great boost to the sports calendar of the Canary Islands.