The 2024 Tour de France has kicked off with many riders, including top contenders, having trained in the renowned Canary Islands. Known for its exceptional sports infrastructure, the Spanish archipelago is a popular destination for athletes looking to enhance their performance. From Tenerife to Lanzarote, the Canary Islands offer a plethora of opportunities for athletes to excel.
The Canary Islands, situated in the Atlantic Ocean, are not just a tropical paradise for sun-seekers but also a haven for athletes from across the globe. Whether professional or amateur, athletes of all levels flock to the islands to take advantage of the ideal conditions for training and participating in international events.
Blessed with natural resources that cater to every sporting need, the Canary Islands attract champions from various disciplines. With an average temperature ranging from 19 to 23 degrees throughout the year and nearly 4800 hours of sunshine annually, the archipelago provides a perfect outdoor training environment.
One of the key attractions for cyclists is the challenging terrain that includes 1500 kilometers of coastline and high-altitude mountains. The Teide National Park, with its steep roads and average altitude of 1800 meters above sea level, serves as an excellent training ground for professional teams gearing up for events like the Tour de France. Cycling legends like Chris Froome, Tadej Pogacar, Primoz Roglic, and Alberto Contador have all honed their skills on the Canary Islands.
Alberto Contador, a two-time Tour de France winner, recommends climbing El Teide from Los Christianos for building endurance in hypoxic conditions. The unique topography of the islands, with its diverse landscapes, offers unparalleled training opportunities for athletes from various sports disciplines.
Apart from cycling, the Canary Islands host prestigious sporting events such as the Transgrancanaria, Tenerife Blue-Trail by UTMB, Transvulcania, Ironman Lanzarote, Gran Canaria Marathon, and world championships in wind-surfing and kite-surfing. The archipelago’s sporting calendar attracts athletes from around the world seeking to test their skills in challenging environments.
The Lanzarote sailing spot has become a hub for Olympic hopefuls, with 500 sailors, coaches, and trainers from 36 countries utilizing the consistent winds and exceptional marine life for training. The success of athletes who have trained in the Canary Islands, as evidenced by the Olympic medal tally, underscores the region’s reputation as a training paradise.
In addition to its natural beauty, the Canary Islands boast state-of-the-art sports facilities tailored to meet the needs of athletes. With over 30 high-level sports centers and numerous recovery and physiotherapy facilities, the archipelago can accommodate thousands of athletes simultaneously. Nations like Italy have leveraged the Canary Islands’ infrastructure to produce top athletes like Marcel Jacobs, a gold medalist in the 100 meters at the Tokyo Olympics.
The aquatic facilities in the Canary Islands also receive high praise from swimmers who have achieved international success after training in the region. Italian swimmer Alessandro Miressi and Hungarian swimmer Katinka Hosszu rave about the world-class swimming pools and training centers that offer optimal conditions for practice and performance improvement.
With its exceptional natural environment, world-class facilities, and track record of producing top athletes, the Canary Islands continue to attract athletes seeking to elevate their game. Whether cycling, swimming, or participating in various sporting events, the archipelago remains a prime destination for those looking to train and compete at the highest level.
