São Paulo, Brazil - The Rio Olympic Games closed Sunday (21) and Brasil Ride moved quickly to announce a trio of heavy weights cyclists for the seventh edition of the most important MTB ultra-marathon of the Americas. Henrique Avancini, fresh from his Olympic debut, arrives as one of the favorites for the event scheduled for 15 to 22 October in the Route of Discovery in Bahia state. The same can be said of Portuguese Tiago Ferreira, current Marathon world champion (who also competed in the Rio 2016), and Dutchman Bart Brentjens, gold medalist in Atlanta-1996.

Two time Brazilian Olympic Cross-Country (XCO) champion, Henrique Avancini made his debut at the Olympic Games on Sunday (21). He finished 23th among 48 cyclists. Brasil Ride 2016 will mark his fifth participation in the event. Elite Champion in 2013 in a duo with Sherman Trezza, the rider also captured the America category trophy two years in a row, and was third for the last two editions.

This season, Avancini had the opportunity to compete for the first time in Cape Epic, one of the most important ultra-marathon in the world. It takes place in South Africa and is often compared with Brasil Ride for its infrastructure."I was impressed with the proportions I saw in Cape Epic. It is a huge and extremely professional event. Perhaps the race has become too big and it ends up limiting the idea of enjoying the race", said Avancini. "Brasil Ride is more in touch with the roots of mountain biking. Both are great experiences for a biker. Perhaps my opinion is influenced by my Brazilian heart, but I would a Brasil Ride is a bit more special as a biking experience", he adds.

Bart Brentjens was in Deodoro Radical Park (MTB’s Olympic site) watching the athletes of his CST Superior Mountainbike Racing Team: Ukrainian Yana Belomoina, Englishman Grant Ferguson and Dutchman Rudi Van Houts. Bart competes in the master category in Brasil Ride and goes for his fourth title after being crowned champion in 2013, 2014 and 2015. In addition to his gold medal in Atlanta-1996, mountain bike debut at the Games, the rider also has one bronze for Athens-2004. He was also world champion in 1995.

Tiago Ferreira will run for his second title after winning it all in 2012 with compatriot Luis Leão Pinto. Despite the 39th place in Rio 2016, the Portuguese rider, specialized in long distance events, returns to Brazil on a high after winning the World Marathon Championships in Laissac, France, in June. Tiago completed the 90 km of the French route (with 3130 meters of accumulated ascent) in 4h01min57s. Austrian Alban Lakata was the runner-up, 19 seconds later, with Czech Kristian Hynek in third place, 56 seconds later.

New route - The seventh edition of the most important MTB ultra-marathon of the Americas will put competitors into new challenges. After being hosted from 2010 to 2015 in Chapada Diamantina, in the cities of Mucugê and Rio de Contas, the 2016 competition, between October 15 and 22, will feature a new route. The Route of Discovery will take athletes trough southern Bahia. The city of Porto Seguro will host one of the race villages. The other will be located near the city of Guaratinga - that will be the secondary camp site for the 500 participants.

Brasil Ride 2016 registration - The duos that are already dreaming about the two-wheels party should be aware. Registrations for the seventh edition are already open on. All details can be found on Brasil Ride's official web site: www.brasilride.com.br. As in previous editions, 500 vacancies for 250 doubles will be available.

About Brasil Ride - Brasil Ride's sixth edition brought together 500 athletes from 23 countries and 18 Brazilian states and the Federal District in the Chapada Diamantina, in the heart of Bahia state. The Brasil Ride Marathon, a single day race, featured another 600 bikers. Classified as S1, the race distributed to the winners of Open and Ladies categories 120 points in the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) rankings. In addition to products that were given as prizes in each stage, the 2015 edition had a record money prize for Brazilian Mountain Bike, with about 70 thousand Brazilian Reais in general and stages awards.

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

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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

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