Kovalchuk and Zakarin Dominate at the 10th Annual UCI Cyprus Granfondo

The 10th Annual UCI Cyprus Granfondo concluded this weekend, showcasing thrilling performances against the stunning backdrop of the Mediterranean

Russian cyclists Aidar Zakarin and Ekaterina Kovalchuk emerged victorious, with Zakarin winning all stages in the men's category and Kovalchuk claiming the female title in the road races, solidifying their status as top competitors in the cycling world.

The Granfondo, a three-day stage race held on the picturesque island of Cyprus, kicked off with a traditional 28km time trial on Friday. Aidar Zakarin (RUS) set the pace, clocking an impressive average speed of 48.6 km/h, finishing the time trial 33 seconds ahead of compatriot Evgenii Tikhonin. Kirill Kolenchits (CYP) rounded out the podium, finishing third at 1 minute and 15 seconds behind.

In the women’s time trial, Elizaveta Ivanova (RUS) showcased her speed, securing victory with a time that was 35 seconds faster than Martyna Wisniewska (POL). Cyprus’s own Ekaterina Kovalchuk finished third, crossing the line 1 minute and 4 seconds later. Ivanova’s average speed during the time trial was recorded at 38.3 km/h, a testament to her rigorous training and preparation.

The excitement continued into the queen stage on Saturday, where Zakarin once again demonstrated his exceptional form. He completed the stage with a solo effort, finishing 1 minute and 21 seconds ahead of Sergei Trubetskoi (RUS) and 1 minute and 13 seconds ahead of Dmitrii Puzanov (RUS).

In a dramatic turn of events, Kovalchuk flipped the script in the women’s queen stage, claiming victory with a staggering lead of 6 minutes over Ivanova, who had previously bested her in the time trial. Wisniewska secured third place, finishing 10 minutes and 58 seconds behind Kovalchuk.

The final stage on Sunday saw no major shifts in the overall standings, as Zakarin confirmed his dominance with a 51-second victory over Nikita Razumov (RUS), while Tikhonin finished third, 1 minute and 15 seconds behind. Kovalchuk continued to assert her prowess, winning the final stage by a margin of 4 minutes over Wisniewska, with Diana Muscat (MLT) taking third in the female category.

The mediofondo, a qualifier distance for men over 60 and women over 50, saw Israeli Ran Tsahor and Italian Elena Pancari emerge as the respective General Classification winners, showcasing the event's inclusivity across age categories.

Link to 2025 UCI Cyprus Granfondo Results: https://www.activatecyprus.com/gran-fondo-cyprus-results