The Lanzarote Cycling Tour presented
La Lanzarote Cycling Tour, the first cycling test included in the calendar The official UCI race that will cover the entire island was presented at an event held this afternoon on the Islote de Fermina.
Club La Santa and Cabildo de Lanzarote, the organisers of the event, brought together more than 60 guests at the presentation, including numerous political representatives from the Canary Islands, heads of public and sports entities in Lanzarote, mayors of the island's municipalities, and leaders of various companies linked to the sector.
This event brings together a group of world-class ambassadors. Alberto Countedr, winner of the three Grand Tours; Alejandro Valverde, champion of the Vuelta a España and the World Road Race; Charles Verona, who finished in the top 25 of the last Tour de France; Lourdes oyarbide, cyclist of the Laboral Kutxa team; and Luis Pasamontes, former professional cyclist, they form a top-level cast and will participate in the event, allowing the rest of the participants the unique opportunity to ride alongside them.
Institutional statements
Tasty Angel, Deputy Minister of Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands, opened the event by highlighting that “what we presented months ago to the Higher Council of Sports has become a reality. It is a real luxury for the Canary Islands that the first Vuelta Ciclista a Lanzarote has this level”.
Jacob Medina, Vice President of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, began his speech by stressing his “gratitude for the organisation of a sporting event that is here to stay and that will take place in all the municipalities of the island, thanks also for the connection that Club La Santa has had with the town councils”.
On behalf of Club La Santa, co-organizer of the event, has intervened Michael Moller, Director of Sports, who stated that “The Vuelta Ciclista a Lanzarote was born with a clear objective: to offer an entertaining and attractive event for local cyclists, as well as to promote cycling among the new generations. At Club La Santa we want to promote active living as much as possible and make it a priority for the entire island.”
Juan Monzon, The Councillor for Sports of the Cabildo, assured that “it is a source of pride and a reason for excitement that amateur cyclists can go out to participate in the Vuelta Ciclista a Lanzarote sharing with cyclists of international character, where the main objective is the advancement of sport on our island”.
From the perspective of Héctor Fernández, CEO of Tourism of Lanzarote, “there was a lack of a test of this magnitude, a test that brings together the seven municipalities and that is sponsored by Alberto Contador or Alejandro Valverde, who have universal relevance. This is of extraordinary importance, we have to stand up for ourselves in the sporting and touristic fields.”
Following these initial interventions, Fabio Cabrera, director of Club La Santa races, has held a debate with the ambassadors of the race. Cabrera has claimed that “we started more than two years ago with this idea; all this is possible thanks to the synergy between the seven municipalities, the Cabildo, the Government of the Canary Islands and the support and affection of private companies”.
Statements from athletes
Alberto counter He stressed that "this test goes beyond sport, it is something social, that children can see that cyclists who have been role models practice sport can make them start in the bike".
Alejandro Valverde He insisted that “we have the opportunity to enjoy ourselves with all the fans, to be able to regroup, to push each other, to chat. In any other sport that is very difficult, so tomorrow and the day after will be days to enjoy a lot.”
Furthermore, Charles Verona He said that “there is a sporting atmosphere here. I am very happy to be able to take part in this first Vuelta Ciclista a Lanzarote and I think that is the magic of these events, they make cycling a special sport.”
On women's cycling, Lourdes Oyarbide She has acknowledged that “I have been able to witness the evolution of professional cycling over the last ten years. We are becoming more and more professional and on the road, it is a pleasure to go out and train and meet more women.”
By your side, Luis Pasamontes He took the opportunity to remind everyone that “we must be cautious and conservative, we must arrive with a good face. This is cycling for everyone, we will be able to have all the rhythms and meet up at the refreshment areas, which is also what attracts me to this race.”
The Vuelta Ciclista a Lanzarote, a milestone in the cycling paradise
The Vuelta Ciclista a Lanzarote kicks off with its first edition this weekend. The race, organised by Club La Santa and Cabildo de Lanzarote, will be the first cycle-tourist event included in the official calendar of events of the International Cycling Union (UCI) to cover the entire island, as its route will visit all seven municipalities on the island. More than 500 cyclists from 25 countries will take part in this debut.
The cyclists will cover a total of 190 kilometres in the two stages of the race: 115 kilometres in the queen stage on the first day, with 1.700 metres of positive gradient, and 74 kilometres in the second stage, with 1.000 metres of positive gradient.
Club La Santa will set up various refreshment points and spectator areas along the route where participants and their companions will be able to enjoy areas with music, food and drink, in a festive and relaxed atmosphere that will take the race entourage to visit the seven municipalities of Lanzarote.
The Vuelta Ciclista a Lanzarote aims to promote the use of bicycles and active and sustainable tourism, as well as helping to continue positioning the island as one of the reference destinations for all lovers of cycling and active life.
Its concept, the surroundings of Lanzarote and the experience of Club La Santa as an organiser of major national and international sporting events have led the UCI to include the event in its official calendar, in the “Cycling for All” programme, which promotes cycling events and the use of bicycles in everyday life.
The event has the support of the Government of the Canary Islands, the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Lanzarote Sports Destination by Turismo Lanzarote and the seven town councils of the island's municipalities: Arrecife, Haría, San Bartolomé, Teguise, Tías, Tinajo and Yaiza, in addition to the support of the Canary Islands and Spanish Cycling Federations.
You can follow tomorrow's march live via Club La Santa YouTube Channel.
