Current Brazilian MTB marathon champion Henrique Avancini of Cannondale Factory Racing won Brasil Ride for the third time on Saturday. Avancini raced alongside his teammate Manuel Fumic. The duo won the 44-km decisive stage in 1h . 39min 26sec. The podium of the day had Portuguese Tiago Ferreira and Dutchman Hans Becking from DMT Racing Team, 1h40min40sec, confirming the 2018 runners-up, and Brazilians Lukas Kaufmann and Sherman Trezza from Cannondale Brasil Racing in 1h41min02sec, champions of the Americas.
“This achievement is special for several reasons. First of all, it is the special closing of a year and a fantastic season. Winning Brasil Ride, which is a special race for me, is an extra motivation. I’m now the second rider to win the race for three times, like my partner in 2017 Jiri Novak, and winning along with Manuel Fumic, who is a very important guy in my career. We’ve been trying to win a race together for some time now, but we had never been able to do it before today”, celebrated Avancini.
Winner in his first participation in Brasil Ride, Manuel Fumic assessed the stage, and shared the joy of being champion with his partner. “It was a decisive and intense race. I did not expect this because, it was a 44-km stage with a comfortable gap ahead of Tiago and Hans, and I believed they would not attack. They tried everything, it was a fast race. For a few times, we got close to losing contact, but we never gave up and in the end this is amazing, winning such a big race as Brasil Ride along with Henrique.
Women’s elite
Sandra Santaynes and Anna Ramirez from Olympa /Esteve Team secured the title with no major problems this Saturday, finishing in second place, just one second ahead of Viviane Favery and Marcella Toldi, Cannondale Women Brasil, third placed of the day. In the last stage Portuguese Ilda Pereira and Spaniard Mayalen Noriega – Myze Team – won in 2h12min53sec. In the dispute for the best team in the Americas, the partnership between Viviane Favery and Marcela Toldi also held their title in the seventh and last stage of the competition.
For Sandra Santaynes, Brasil Ride had a more than special taste, since she made her farewell as a professional cyclist. “I’m very happy to retire from the sport and conquer this title here in Bahia. I have no words right now”, Sandra said. This was his second participation in the race. The first one, in Chapada Diamantina, which had a more technical track, and now by the ocean, more fun and definitely a race that pleases me”, he added.
“Winning here in Brazil for me was unthinkable. I can’t believe it”, said Anna Ramirez. “I’m happy, because we did not imagine winning the ultra marathon. Glad because we had serious problems in the second stage and we had the support of Shimano Neutral Service to fix the our bikes. Specialized also helped us with our bikes, and thanks to them we are here”, analyzed Anna.
Top 5 after 7 stages:
Men’s:
1-Henrique Avancini (BRA) / Manuel Fumic (GER) -21h07min54seg
2-Tiago Ferreira (POR) / Hans Becking (NED) – 21h13min13seg
3-Alexey Medvedev (RUS) / Francesco Failli (ITA) – 21h25min09
4-Lukas Kaufmann (BRA) / Sherman Trezza (BRA) – 21h31min46
5-Sebastian Fini (DIN) / Martins Blums (LAT) – 21h36min45
Women’s:
1-Sandra Santanyes (ESP) / Anna Ramirez (ESP) – 28h19min53seg
2-Viviane Favery (BRA) / Marcella Toldi (BRA) – 28h51min00
3-Paula Gallan (BRA) / Franciele Almeida (BRA) – 29h29min20seg
4-Ilda Pereira (POR) / Mayalen Noriega (ESP) – 29h49min40seg
5-Ivonne Kraft (GER) / Agnes Naumann (GER) – 31h19min50seg