The municipality of Yaiza, on the island of Lanzarote, is once again preparing to become the centre of adapted sports for the 13th edition of Handbike.
Handbike is an adapted cycling event that has become a classic in the south of the island of Lanzarote. This new edition consists of two main races: the “Salinas Race” time trial and the Vuelta a Playa Blanca”, both on Handbike.
First date: “Salinas Race” time trial in Lanzarote
The “Salinas Race” edition starts on Friday 10th February and will be welcoming elite handbikers to compete in this exciting event. The race will start at the La Hoya roundabout, near Salinas de Janubio, and will run along the LZ-701 road. This particular route is known locally as “the old Yaiza-to-Playa-Blanca road”. It is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque routes in Lanzarote.
The circuit is 7.5 kilometres long and ends at the entrance of the Ferretería Tías hardware store, located in the industrial estate of the tourist resort of Playa Blanca. Participants start one at a time, at 30-second intervals to ensure safety and fairness for all competitors.
The annual event attracts participants from all over Spain and beyond, all eager to explore the breathtaking views of the island from the heights. The course winds through some of Lanzarote’s most picturesque areas, while testing the speed and technique of the para-athlete cyclists.
From cliffs overlooking long sandy beaches to winding roads along volcanic mountains, every part of the route will captivate the attention of cyclists. In addition, athletes will be able to enjoy the crystal-clear waters of Lanzarote even before the race starts.
The Salinas Race time trial is one of the most demanding competitions held in Spain, but also one of the most rewarding, due to its panoramic views of the natural environment of the south of the island.
Second date: Vuelta a Playa Blanca
On Saturday 11th February the “Vuelta a Playa Blanca Handbike” will take place. This year’s competition promises to be an exciting event, with athletes from all over the world competing on a 2.2 km closed circuit in the heart of the tourist area of Playa Blanca.
The challenging 2.2 km course passes through some of Playa Blanca’s most iconic places, such as the Plaza Nuestra Señora del Carmen, where both the start and finish line are located. During this intense competition, the participating athletes will have to negotiate hairpin bends, tricky chicanes and cobbled straights, all the while being cheered on by a large crowd of sports enthusiasts, who flock to the island every year for this highly anticipated event.
At the end of the race there will be a prize-giving ceremony for all participants who have shown unequivocal determination in their quest for victory. Medals, trophies and prizes will be awarded to those who have achieved success on this demanding course.
For years now, the “Vuelta a Playa Blanca Handbike” event has provided a fantastic spectacle for both visitors and local residents, and it is no wonder that it continues to attract the participation of local and international cyclists of the highest calibre in this adapted sport.
Elite cyclists meet in Playa Blanca, Yaiza
The Playa Blanca Handbike is an unmissable event on the European sporting calendar, with world and Paralympic champions from all over the world taking part. This year, elite athletes will be attracted – once again – by Lanzarote’s wonderful climate, perfect for both competing and training. Such is the case of Spanish para–triathlete Lionel Morales, who has been training in Lanzarote all his life. “The island is a paradise for adapted sports. I am an example of this”, he said in a recent interview.
This perfect combination of safety and adrenaline makes Lanzarote a sporting paradise for athletes from Europe and all over the world.
Lanzarote is a paradise for adapted sports
So says José Ángel, who has been a loyal supporter of Handbike on the island of Lanzarote since 2010, when the first circuit was developed. Since then, para-athletes from all over the world have travelled to Lanzarote to train and compete, attracted by the unique environment that makes it the perfect setting for this sport.
This event brings together athletes from many parts of Spain, but also from abroad, who come to experience in first person this special sport for disabled people in an incomparable setting such as that offered by the island of Lanzarote.
The setting offers them a unique opportunity to demonstrate their courage and tenacity as they face a variety of challenges, made possible by the island’s natural features, including its warm climate and volcanic landscape.
The Playa Blanca Handbike event is organised every year by the Asociación para la Promoción del Turismo y Deporte sin Barreras and the Asociación Lanzarote sin Barreras for people with disabilities, with the support of the Ayuntamiento de Yaiza and the Cabildo de Lanzarote. The event builds awareness of the need to support the inclusion of people with a disability through sport. In addition, the European Sport Destination brand has also collaborated in this event, together with other private businesses.
Registration is open until 7 February
Registration to participate in this thirteenth edition of the “Playa Blanca Handbike” will be open until 7 February, or until the 50 places available are filled. Participants must register through the website www.cronolinecanarias.com. Both races are part of the European circuit and are supported by the European Handbike Federation.
The authorities involved in the organisation of this event hope that it will bring more visibility to disabled sports, while allowing para-athletes to develop their skills in an ideal location such as the island of Lanzarote.
