Champion Cyclists Pedal to Mexico for the Gran Premio de Cancun

Already known throughout the world for its beaches and water sport activities, Cancun is quickly gaining a reputation as an incredible cycling destination. One of the major catalysts for this attention is the Gran Premio de Cancun, a cycling event staged in the city's scenic Hotel Zone. Despite its short history in Cancun, the Gran Premio de Cancun has already filled a niche as one of the top cycling events in Mexico, attracting top international riders including recent Olympic and Tour de France champions. The excitement generated by this prestigious single-day event has also inspired locals and tourists alike to enjoy cycling along Cancun's captivating Boulevard Kukulcan, as well as scenic routes outside the city. The Gran Premio de Cancun will be staged this year on Saturday, October 17, while travelers can enjoy cycling in and around Cancun year-round.

This year, as numerous champions and well-known riders will be competing in the Gran Premio de Cancun, names such as Alberto Contador and Fabian Cancellara will be amongst the biggest draws. Contador - currently recognized as not only one of the best uphill racers in the world, but also one of the top all-around riders - is the most recent champion of the Tour de France. In addition to beating out Lance Armstrong and other riders in 2009, Contador also won the famed race in 2007, as well as both the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España in 2008, making him only the fifth cyclist to win each of Europe's Grand Tours. Contador will be competing with athletes from throughout the world in the distance race competition that circles the Hotel Zone. Cancellara, a two-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist time trial cyclist, can be found in the special time trial race that precedes the main event.

The Gran Premio de Cancun will also feature riders such as Samuel Sanchez - gold medalist in the Road Race competition at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing - Oscar Freire - one of the world's top sprinting riders - and Mark Cavendish - one of Britain's all-time top cyclists. As the Gran Premio de Cancun stands as one of the top cycling events in Mexico, many local riders will also be on hand for a chance at one of the top national prizes. In addition to active cyclists known throughout Mexico such as Bernardo Colex and Ignacio Sarabia, the Gran Premio de Cancun will also welcome Raúl Alcalá, one of Mexico's most celebrated national athletes and a legend in Latin American competitive cycling.

At 3 PM on the day of the Gran Premio de Cancun, spectators will be able to watch the world's top cyclists during a free ride of the course along Boulevard Kukulcan. At 4 PM, Fabian Cancellara and other cyclists will compete in the intense time trial competition, a single-lap sprint race. The main road race begins at 5 PM and makes 14 loops of the Hotel Zone course, allowing spectators to find excellent viewing locations near all the major resorts. The Gran Premio de Cancun concludes with an evening awards ceremony and public event with live entertainment.

Cyclists that want to experience the course of one of Mexico's great races and the sights of Cancun can ride along Bouelvard Kukulcan - widely considered one of the most scenic roads in the world - throughout the year. Cyclists in search of longer rides or open stretches of road can also find many quiet, yet scenic routes throughout the naturally diverse area known as the Mayan Riviera. As Cancun is a metropolitan destination that caters to all types of travelers, cyclists will find plenty of rental and repair shops throughout the area.

As Cancun will be hosting an Ironman 70.3 marathon - as well as numerous competitive water sport events - in coming months, the Gran Premio de Cancun is just one of several exciting competitions that can be experienced by visitors staying in Cancun's Hotel Zone.