The mountain event organised by Sodepal expands to four days, introduces a new municipality, and achieves UCI category S2. Registrations are now open for the event from 12 to 15 November.
The Transvulcania Bike, the stage mountain bike event organised by Sodepal, the economic promotion arm of the Cabildo of La Palma, has announced its expansion for the 2026 edition. The competition, which successfully debuted last year, moves from three to four stages, incorporates the municipality of Barlovento, and enters the international calendar of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for the first time with S2 — Stage Class 2. Registrations opened this Wednesday on the official event website, as reported by the organisation.
The race will take place from 12 to 15 November, with routes crossing the municipalities of Barlovento, Fuencaliente, El Paso, and Tijarafe. The format combines long and short stages to cater to different cyclist profiles, with a total distance of 182 kilometres in the long format, featuring over 6,600 metres of positive elevation gain. The short format, on the other hand, totals around 116 kilometres and nearly 3,800 metres of ascent.
The Sports Councillor of the Cabildo of La Palma, Yurguen Hernández, highlighted that the success of the first edition confirmed that the stage format was the right path. “Thanks to the joint work between administrations, municipalities, and organisers, we have managed to incorporate a new event, enter the international UCI calendar, and continue to grow a project that we believe has no limits,” Hernández stated in a press release.
The first day, Thursday 12 November, will kick off in Barlovento with the Barlobike, an individual time trial of 23 kilometres and 1,100 metres of positive elevation. The route runs through the laurisilva of the northern part of the island and will help establish the first differences in the overall classification. The following day, the caravan will move to Fuencaliente, where participants can choose between a long stage of 68 kilometres and 1,900 metres of elevation, or a short one of 48 kilometres and 1,100 metres, crossing volcanic and forest landscapes in the south of La Palma.
On Saturday 14, the event will return to the Bike El Paso route, with 48 kilometres and 1,850 metres of elevation in the long format, and 28 kilometres and 1,000 metres in the short. This stage combines demanding climbs, technical trails, and fast descents. The competition will conclude on Sunday 15 in Tijarafe, with La Tea MTB as the setting for the final battle for the overall: 43 kilometres and 1,667 metres of elevation in the long format, and 16.8 kilometres with 618 metres in the short.
The leap to the international UCI calendar, with S2 category, represents a recognition that positions the Transvulcania Bike as a key event outside of the Canary Islands. Last year, local rider Pedro Rodríguez won the overall classification after an exciting final stage in Fuencaliente, ahead of Russian Sintsov and a Spanish champion. Rodríguez now serves as the event's ambassador.
The organisation has the involvement of the Cabildo of La Palma through Sodepal, the municipalities of Barlovento, Fuencaliente, El Paso, and Tijarafe, and the clubs that were already organising each of the events separately. This model of cooperation, according to the organisation, consolidates a unique competition in the Canary Islands. Registrations are available at transvulcaniabike.com, and high demand is expected from both local and international participants, attracted by the new UCI status and the island's scenic appeal.
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