Breaking the mould, WEMBO has partnered with Roma Sports to hold the WEMBO World Solo 24 Hour Championships in Costa Rica MS in July 2019. Roma Sports is best known for their 24 Hour and Brasil Ride events, and Mario Roma is also well known throughout mountain biking as a competitor in stage races all over the world and 24h races winning a bronze medal in his category at the 24-hour world championships in 2010.
WEMBO Founder Russ Baker welcomed riders: ‘WEMBO is continually looking to expand the countries that hold WEMBO events to provide new experiences for the riders. We are very happy to be able to add Brasil to the WEMBO family. The whole world knows how Brasil can put on a major sporting event and their enthusiasm for sport. I am certain all our riders will want to experience this. I want to thank Mario for making this exciting next stage in WEMBO’s development happen.’
Mario Roma, from Roma Sports MKT, welcomed the world’s riders to Brasil: ‘ We will be going firm on the exact weekend in July for WEMBO 2019 as soon as possible but no later than early next year. I am very happy with this partnership with WEMBO in being able to organise the first world 24-hour MTB solo in Brasil and having personally raced in several 24-hour competitions has awakened in me the desire to one day see a world champion crowned in Brasil. It is a great experience that we have as organisers of the Brasil Ride, today known as the Giro de Italia of the MTB and this gives us the confidence to realise a world championship that surely will stay in history. The involvement of Brasil and the Government of Mato Grosso and the city of Costa Rica – MS – Brasil Ride is 100% proud and will make this world championships a historic moment. I hope you all in Brasil, Costa Rica – MS in July 2019.
Looney and team mate Wadsowrth.
2015 WEMBO Elite World Solo 24 Hour Champions Sonya Looney has raced in Brasil before: ‘Brasil is one of my favorite countries to have raced! The people are warm and welcoming, and the landscape of Brasil is truly unique. In welcoming WEMBO to Brasil, Roma Sports is highly organised and puts on great events!’
Costa Rica is located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul in the south of the Midwest region of Brasil, about 1000 Km north-west of Rio de Janeiro and 600 Km south-west of Brasilia.