The Transitapúa Bike 2026 race will take place on Sunday, 18 October, in Trinidad, Itapúa Department, with more than 210 registered cyclists representing four countries. The mountain bike competition is part of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) calendar and merges cycling with tourism, nature, and the cultural heritage of Paraguay’s Jesuit Mission of La Santísima Trinidad del Paraná near the city of Encarnación.
The Transitapúa Bike is a mountain-bike cross-country marathon held in southern Paraguay, and its 13th edition returns riders to the UNESCO World Heritage site. The race mixes competition with the landscape and history of Itapúa, drawing national and international cyclists. The event, according to the organisers, offers a unique blend of cycling, nature, culture, and heritage within the Itapúa department.
A backdrop of world heritage
The selection of the Jesuit Mission of La Santísima Trinidad del Paraná as the venue adds a significant cultural and heritage component to the race. The site is part of the Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue, which were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Founded in 1706, it is considered one of the largest and best-preserved of the Jesuit settlements in the region.
The launch event at Turista Róga Asunción was attended by the interim executive secretary minister of the National Secretariat of Tourism (Senatur), Javier Ramírez. Also present were Juan Andrés Szopa, the delegate for MTB Paraguay and director of Consur S.A., representing the event’s organisation, and Bertha Hahn, president of the Paraguayan Cycling Federation.
During the presentation, organisers revealed the main features for the 2026 edition of the race. They detailed the competition’s characteristics, anticipated participation, and organisational aspects for the day. Consequently, the event aims to use sport as a tool for tourism promotion by combining cycling with the opportunity to explore Itapúa’s historical heritage.
Transitapúa Bike 2026: A boost for sports tourism
Minister Ramírez highlighted the potential impact of such activities on tourist destinations. He specifically noted the mobilisation of participants, their families, and supporters. This influx provides a significant boost to the local economy.
“When we talk about sports tourism, we also talk about development. Every participant who arrives, every family that accompanies them, every visitor who stays in the destination, generates movement for hotels, restaurants, shops, service providers, and local entrepreneurs, in addition to getting to know the region’s attractions,” said Ramírez.
The event is now part of a broader agenda of activities designed to stimulate economic activity in tourist destinations and enhance the experiences available to visitors. “Integrating this heritage with a sporting activity allows us to bring it closer to new generations and promote an active, responsible, and respectful way of getting to know our territory,” Ramírez stated.
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