Santander Brasil Ride Espinhaço successful first edition in Conceição do Mato Dentro (MG)

Conceição do Mato Dentro, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, was all about mountain biking between December 14th and 18th, during the all new edition of Santander Brasil Ride Espinhaço. From the first to the last day of the event at the Santander Brasil Ride arena, one could see shiny happy people, being part of the cycling history. Not only the athletes, who brightened the show, riding for five days over 220 km with 7,100 m accumulated climbing, but also the staff members themselves did not hide their satisfaction in participating of the debut of the ultramarathon in Serra do Espinhaço.

"Closing 2021 and then starting our circuit in April 2022, welcoming athletes from all over the country and world champions, happy with this new project and new event, makes us really happy. This is the second UCI stage race, held in Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the city of Conceição do Mato Dentro, seeing people talking about the race more than anything else. And really, the place is unheard of. I chose perfect trails, which everyone liked. 100% positive balance, both to close the year, and to prepare for the season opening in April, with a race in a unique place, with unique routes and pure mountain bike, which pleased everyone", praised Mario Roma, founder of Santander Brasil Ride.

The next edition of Santander Brasil Ride Espinhaço is already scheduled. The race will be held between April 19 and 23, opening the competition calendar of the main cycling circuit in Brazil. Just like in the debut, the Santander Marathon will be responsible for bringing the event to a perfect end, bringing together a few hundred more cyclists on Saturday, the 23rd.

The duos formed by Sherman Trezza/Lukas Kaufmann and Paula Gallan/Isabella Lacerda wrote their names in the history of national mountain biking, when they won the first edition. In a few years, they will be remembered as the first champions of a race that plans to grow to become the biggest in the Americas when it comes to MTB ultramarathons.

"Santander Brasil Ride Espinhaço was awesome, a race that is here to stay. Next year, it will certainly grow and develop, putting Minas Gerais on the international MTB map, and also confirming the fact that it is the best state for mountain biking in Brazil. Minas Gerais has no shore, but the best mountains to practice MTB are here, in Conceição do Mato Dentro, in the Espinhaço Range", commented the mayor of Conceição, Zé Fernando.

President of the CBC at the event – Responsible for commanding the highest cycling entity in the country – Brazilian Cycling Confederation – José Luiz Vasconcellos was present at the event and followed the last two days of the event. Before the final stage of the competition, he spoke to the athletes cheering them to complete the final kilometers. Afterwards, he had the pleasure of riding an e-bike and crossing the finish line.

"In order to develop cycling in the country, we need three pillars: an organization, an entity and the government. Espinhaço is driven towards that. The mayor of Conceição do Mato Dentro, Zé Fernando, is very excited. The region is ideal for mountain biking. The objective is to have future international events here, such as Panam competitions and maybe receiving a world championship one day, like announced by the mayor", said Vasconcellos.

UCI representative praises the event – Responsible for representing the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) in the competition, Regina Barbieri, from Rio Grande do Sul, followed the dispute closely. The representative of the world's highest governing body in the sport was present at the Santander Brasil Ride arena from the kit pick-up, until the last athlete crossed the finish line on Saturday (18th).

"This race is very important in the national and international scenarios. A stage race with five stages takes a toll from the athletes. In our scenario, this race was very relevant for the evolution of cycling in Brazil. The trend is that it will grow a lot in the coming years, with the choice of this place" said Regina. "From my point of view, everything was 100% perfect. No complaints about structure, track or dynamics. The local people embraced the event and, together with the organization, made it work very well", she added.

Tiago Ferreira starts pre-season – World champion and two-time European Marathon (XCM) mountain bike champion, Portuguese Tiago Ferreira had a unique opportunity in his career at Santander Brasil Ride Espinhaço. Ferreira can start his pre-season in style, aiming at 2022, since he had not been cycling for about 30 days until he arrived in Conceição do Mato Dentro.

"It was five days that flew by. I blinked, and we were already on the last stage. Intense and fantastic mountain biking days. A new but spectacular race. I loved being in Minas Gerais. I am really happy and grateful for the opportunity. It's the first time in my nearly 20-year career that I've started a season with a race. Every day cost me a lot because my physical condition was poor. But, I was sure it would a good preparation for the next year. I'm not sorry at all," said Ferreira.

Special Trophy – Santander Brasil Ride Espinhaço started the calendar taking national cycling to another level. Offering a total of more than 140,000 reais (~21,500 Euros) in cash prizes, the event offered the largest prize in Brazil in the history of this sport, which is one of the fastest growing in the country and in the world. Following the standards of the Santander Brasil Ride circuit, women and men had equal prizes in the race. And for the amateur rider who made the best lap in the XCO stage, an Henrique Avancini’s helmet was offered as an extra prize.

The winner was Breno Luca, who took eighth place at the open, alongside his partner, André Aikawa. After receiving the award, Luca agreed with the idea of the race's founder, Mario Roma, that an auction be held for the helmet. The money raised will be earmarked for a social action called #LegadoBrasilRide, which will help the residents of Guaratinga, as the city has suffered in recent weeks with the storms that hit the extreme south of Bahia.

More infos from Santander Brasil Ride:
Site: www.brasilride.com.br
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BRASILRIDE
Instagram: www.instagram.com/brasilride

Infos for press ZDL Sports:
ZDL Sports - Gustavo Coelho / Doro Jr. - Mtb 13209
E-mail: gustavo@zdl.com.br
Site: http://zdl.pressroom.com.br

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ZDLSports
Instagram: www.instagram.com/zdlsports
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ZDLcomunica