São Paulo, Brazil - After conquering fame and two Brasil Ride titles in 2014 and 2015 in Chapada Diamantina, Hans Becking (NED) and Jiri Novak (CZE) are back to keep their success story. The Superior-Brentjens Mountain Bike Racing duo are once again favorites for the 2016 edition of the most important MTB ultra-marathon of the Americas, scheduled for 15 to 22 October in a new environment: racers will face the Discovery route, between Arraial d'Ajuda and Guaratinga, about 100 km from the coast.

The change of location won’t make life easier for competitors in the seven day race, with 538.8 km and 11 thousand meters of altitude variation. "I know only one important thing. Tt will be much more for me than just a simple stage race", says Jiri Novak. "I took a closer look at the route. I have no clue about the terrain, but if its similar to the previous Brasil Ride's, this one will be even harder. After the prologue there are four hard and long stages. Before we had the XCO as a `rest day` in between", analyses Hans Becking.

Other top teams are Tiago Ferreira (POR) / Roel Paulissen, both world Marathon champions, Hugo Prado (BRA) / Lukas Kaufmann (SUI), Samuel Porro (ITA) / Alexey Medvedev (RUS), Luis Leão Pinto (POR) / Soren Nissen (DIN), Halysson Ferreira (BRA) / Robson Ferreira (BRA), and Damiano Ferraro (ITA) / Fabian Rabensteiner (ITA). "Every year there are better riders. This year they are even stronger", says Hans Becking.

"With those big names at the start list I don't think we are the favorites. My guess is that the riders from Trek San Marco, Porro and Medvedev and Ferraro and Rabensteiner, will be the big surprises. They have two teams at the start so they have a back up team. This is a big plus in this race. Jiri and I love to be the underdogs and it worked out before", completes Hans. "We need good carma and have to fight hard till the end. Brasil Ride is the hardest stage race ever and everything is possible", says Novak.

The two race villages will have different attractions for the riders. Porto Seguro will have comfort, with hotels and beautiful beaches. Guaratinga will offer a friendly atmosphere, with a city being assembled by the organization on the Farm Conjunto Boa Vista, where athletes and staff will be camped. "I’m looking forward to get in Bahia. Brasil Ride is special because we are a family for seven days. Staying together and sleeping in a camp is much better then everyone sleeping in a hotel room", believes Jiri. "We don't really care about staying for three nights in a camp. We just focus on the race and we will try not to worry about other things", concludes Hans Becking.

Brasil Ride Schedule - 538.8 km - 11 thousand meters of altitude

15/10 - Saturday: athletes kit delivery in Arraial d'Ajuda
16/10 - Sunday: Prologue in Arraial d'Ajuda (21.1 km and 318 m altitude)
17/10 - Monday - Stage 2 from Arraial d'Ajuda to Brasil Ride Camp (128 km and 2225 m altitude)
18/10 - Tuesday - Stage 3 with start and arrival at the Camp (63.5 km and 1,587 altitude)
19/10 - Wednesday - Stage 4 with start and arrival at the Camp (85.3 km and 2,963 m altitude)
20/10 - Thursday - Stage 5 between Brasil Ride Camp and Arraial d'Ajuda (134 km and 2,027 m altitude)
21/10 - Friday - Stage 6 in the XCO course in Arraial d'Ajuda (31.8 km and 548 m altitude)
22/10 - Saturday -Stage 7, the final race in Arraial d'Ajuda and Brasil Ride Marathon (75 km e 1.105 m altitude)

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.

Website: http://www.BRASILRIDE.COM.BR
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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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