Órzola to Playa Blanca at 35 degrees: Lionell Sánchez opens the Gran Guanche on Lanzarote

Cyclist Lionell Sánchez has completed the first stage of the Gran Guanche 2026 on Lanzarote, a charity challenge that will take him across all seven Canary Islands by bike. The aim is to raise money for physical activity for leukaemia patients in the islands' haematology wards.

North to south, under the sun

He left Órzola just after 9am and reached Playa Blanca at 4:40pm, with temperatures up to 35 degrees and above 32 for much of the route. "The worst part was the heat; the wind helped us," he said at the finish.

He takes two moments away with him: riding into the landscape of Timanfaya, and the arrival. In Playa Blanca several patients were waiting with welcome signs. Among them was Fran, a boy with lymphoma who plays handball, who gave him two shirts and a sealed letter. "I haven't been able to read it, because I know it will make me emotional," Lionell admitted.

Next stage

The Gran Guanche continues on Fuerteventura, from Corralejo to Morro Jable: 1,850 metres of climbing. The fundraising campaign remains open.