Henrique Avancini (BRA) and Manuel Fumic (GER) win the Queen Stage and take the lead in Brasil Ride

Guaratinga (Bahia) - The Queen Stage, considered the most difficult in Brasil Ride, brought thrill to the fans in the main mountain bike ultramarathon in the Americas. In the men's, and women's elite alike, the leader jersey went to new hands. Among men, Brazilian Henrique Avancini and German Manuel Fumic, from Cannondale Factory Racing, managed to win the race with a good gap, and now stay ahead of Portuguese Tiago Ferreira and Dutch Hans Becking, DMT Racing Team. In the women's category, Spanish Sandra Santaynes and Anna Ramirez, from Olympia/Esteve Team won, and also took the lead that belonged to Brazilian Jaqueline Mourão and Canadian Cindy Mountambault, Jacky & Cindy.

After a tentative attack in the first hour of the race, when they opened 20 seconds ahead of the lead, Henrique Avancini and Manuel Fumic attacked once more, and took a good advantage ahead of the contenders, almost 3 minutes. In the end of Km 101 and more than 2,600 m climbing in the Queen Stage, Avancini and Fumic crossed the finish line in 4h34min21sec, 2min11 ahead of Tiago Ferreira and Hans Becking, who finished in 4h36min32sec. Russian Alexey Medvedev and Italian Francesco Failli, Specialized Italia, in 4h37min25seg, completed the podium.

“The objective was to enjoy some sections, which we knew Ferreira and Becking would have difficulties, such as the Pedra da Batalha climb. We wanted to get there feeling as well as possible, so that we can feel good in the next stages. Tiago had some difficulties in the beginning, and in the end we managed to open a gap, and it was better than we expected.  Tomorrow, (Thursday) is an important day, and we will try to hold the advantages, so that we can keep strong to the XC on Friday (25th), assessed Henrique Avancini.

Leaders in the third day, Tiago Ferreira talked about the race. “I had a problem with the chain, and ended up having to stop to fix it in a fast section of the race. I had to put more effort, so that we could join the peloton in one of the first climbs. Then they started to put more pressure, and we couldn't reach them. In the 5th stage we will see what happens, and then decide what we will do”, said Ferreira. After winning two stages in three days, Sebastian Fini (DIN) and Martins Blums (LAT) finished sixth in the stage, and now remain in sixth in the GC.

Women's Elite - The dispute among women also had a significant change in the GC. Santaynes and Ramirez were strong in the Queen Stage, and went from the third to the first place, and around 27 minutes ahead of Favery and Toldi, Cannondale Brasil Women. While Santaynes and Ramirez completed 6h35min24sec, Favery and Toldi finished 5th, with 7h28min47sec. Top three today had Brazilians Paula Gallan and Franciele de Almeida, from Costa Rica Casco de Peba II, in 6h43min47sec, followed by the Portuguese Ilda Pereira and Spanish Mayalen Noriega, from Casa Myze Team, in 6h58min44sec. Leaders until the third stage, Jaqueline Mourão and Cindy Mountambalt had technical diffculties, and are out of the top five.

“We started very badly, because usually I can't stand the first hot day in stage races. There was a moment when I thought I wouldn't make it, because it was too hot. Lucky my friend was feeling well, and I hydrated and recovered, to win the stage”, said Santaynes. “I usually start better than Sandra. We paced ourselves, and assessed the other teams. In the end, it was hard for me, and my partner was stronger. We are well, and willing to remain in the dispute. Nevertheless, we know that there is a lot ahead, and we must take a day at a time”, finished Ramirez.

Top 5 after 4 stages:

Men's: 
1-Henrique Avancini (BRA) / Manuel Fumic (GER) - 12h39min39seg
2-Tiago Ferreira (POR) / Hans Becking (NED) - 12h40min42seg
3-Alexey Medvedev (RUS) / Francesco Failli (ITA) - 12h47min24seg 
4-Lukas Kaufmann (BRA) / Sherman Trezza (BRA) - 12h50min05seg
5- Hugo Prado Neto (BRA) / Roel Paulissen (BEL) - 12h59min01seg 

Women's:
1-Sandra Santanyes (ESP) / Anna Ramirez (ESP) - 17h41min47seg
2-Viviane Favery (BRA) / Marcella Toldi (BRA) - 18h08min45seg
3-Paula Gallan (BRA) / Franciele Almeida (BRA) - 18h15min25seg
4-Ilda Pereira (POR) / Mayalen Noriega (ESP) - 18h40min12
5-Ivonne Kraft (GER) / Agnes Naumann (GER) - 19h13min17seg

The leaders - 
Américas Men - Lukas Kaufmann (BRA) / Sherman Trezza (BRA) - 12h50min05seg
Américas Women - Viviane Favery (BRA) / Marcella Toldi (BRA) - 18h08min45seg
Master - Edson Luis Corradi (BRA) / Luis Flavio Moura (BRA) - 15h21min47seg
Mixed - Lyne Bessethe (CAN) / Thiago Drews (BRA) - 16h04min10seg
Grand Master - Pablo Rodriguez (ARG) / Raul Navarro (COL) - 17h54min45seg
Nelore - Regivaldo Marques Moreira / Robson Mendes - 18h53min06seg
Corporative - Enrico Sampaio Julio / Rodrigo Fuganti / Wagner Mendes - 15h18min48seg

2018 Brasil Ride Stages:

Etapa 5 - Guaratinga to Arraial d'Ajuda - 140 km and 2.336 m de altimetry
Etapa 6 - Arraial d'Ajuda - 32,4 km and 664 m de altimetry
Etapa 7 - Arraial d'Ajuda - 43,8 km and 497 m de altimetry

Live Schedule - The ninth edition of Brasil Ride will follow the schedule of the last two editions, with live streaming for eight days, in the official fan page: www.facebook.com/BRASILRIDE. Check the days and times (GMT-3):

Thursday - 10/25 - Start at 7:40 a.m.; Finish at 12:45 p.m.; and Prize ceremony at 8:45 p.m.
Friday - 10/26 - Start at 9:40 a.m.; Finish at 11:25 a.m.; and Prize ceremony at 6:45 p.m.
Sunday - 10/27 - Start at 8:40 a.m.; Finish at 12:00 p.m.; and Prize ceremony at 8:45 p.m.  

The event - Considered the Giro d'Italia of the world MTB, the ultramarathon scheduled for 21-27 October in Bahia offers a challenge for the 540 participating athletes from all over the world. For seven days, the participants will ride for 600 km and endure almost 11,000 m of accumulated altimetry, between tracks and dirt roads that connect Arraial d'Ajuda, in Porto Seguro, to Brasil Ride Village, built annually in Guaratinga. On the last day of the competition, on Saturday (27), another 1,200 cyclists from all over the country join the stars of the international mountain bike race for the Marathon of the Discoveries. A unique opportunity to ride side by side with the bestmountain bikers in the world.

The ninth edition of Brasil Ride has Specialized, Shimano, Caixa and Unidas as sponsors. Government of Bahia, through the SUDESB (Superintendence of Sports of the State of Bahia) and Bahiatursa (Superintendence of Tourism Promotion of the State of Bahia), also sponsor the ultramarathon, while the Municipalities of Porto Seguro and Guaratinga are among the supporters.

Videos and slideshows: youtube - wetransfer

Stage 1:
Vídeo - https://youtu.be/CcduJ8RGGww
Slideshow - https://youtu.be/8lbrO1xTLMU
Wetransfer - https://we.tl/t-t644YMd1G3

Stage 2: 
Vídeo - https://youtu.be/_oBSy4DLihU
Slideshow - https://youtu.be/zMYfhZZr0F0
Wetransfer -https://we.tl/t-5rewGncXHP

Stage 3:
Video - https://youtu.be/4Lb_0CwSxdU
Wetransfer - https://we.tl/t-1k2RknUEd0
Slideshow - https://youtu.be/yldPy3EzMk4

Etapa 4:
Vídeo youtube: https://youtu.be/rK1qIgAtIJQ
Vídeo wetransfer: https://we.tl/t-AbXRi4ro2o
Slideshow youtube: https://youtu.be/UjEbJul_5mQ
Slideshow wetransfer: https://we.tl/t-43UqTsDkXb

Results on www.brasilride.com.br

Brasil Ride: More than a race, a stage in your life.

Website: http://www.BRASILRIDE.COM.BR
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BRASILRIDE
Twitter: https://twitter.com/brasil_ride
Instagram: https://instagram.com/brasilride

Gustavo Coelho / Doro Jr. - Mtb 13209
E-mail: gustavo@zdl.com.br / dorojr@zdl.com.br
Phone: +55 11 32855911 / Cell phone: + 55 11 9.8457-9699

Translated by: Rosita Belinky - robelinky@gmail.com

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