Marcella Toldi guarantees a comfortable lead in the women’s elite solo; Edson Resende wins followed by Henrique Avancini and Tiago Ferreira
October 2022 - Considered a crucial day for Brasil Ride Bahia, the Arraial - Guaratinga stage is a physical and mental test, both for the length and for the difficulties in the 128km course and over 2,600 meters of accumulated climbing.
For many it is the day of overcoming obstacles, the day when participants really enter the race, which starts from Arraial d'Ajuda and goes to the Vila Brasil Ride Bahia camp, in Guaratinga.
After the race yesterday (25), full of singletracks, mud and downhills, today the 32-degrees sun with a thermal sensation of 44oC in some stretches, attention with hydration was crucial to reach the end of the race in acceptable physical shape.
The elite solo category had a new protagonist on the podium: Edson Resende (BRA) - Caloi Henrique Avancini Racing (4h50m35s) who won the stage and will now wear the white jersey (Best Athlete in the Americas in the next stage). Henrique Avancini (BRA) - Cannondale Factory Racing (4h50m36s) follows the lead with the yellow jersey and the Portuguese Tiago Ferreira - DMT Racing Team by Marconi (4h50m37s) in second place, with a disadvantage of just over a minute.
Special Victory - The champion of the day said that this victory was special. "I really like this stage and I prepared a lot. Today I used a good strategy, I positioned myself well at the beginning and stayed with the first peloton. We came in a good pace, and it was possible to open a big gap. Crossing the line first, in a race as tough as this one, is rewarding. I feel that I am on the right track and that the job is being done well. I'm very happy", said Edson, explaining that the hardest part of the stage was the intense beginning, due to the mud, but he managed to escape and secure his first victory of the season.
Following the platoon, several motorbikers became 'scouts' for the male elite. Motorcycle mechanic Leandro Marinho Lacerda was one of 15 motorcyclists who accompanied the group. "We are from Eunápolis and we came to follow the race with our motorcycles, our work vehicles. A couple of guys fell, but the rest came out well. It was exciting to see the 'guys' of world cycling up close," he revealed.
Second win - For the third day, Marcella Toldi - Johny Lin / Ciclovia Rio Pinheiros (6h04m02s), had mechanical problems, but strength and strategy helped her to win the Arraial d'Ajuda - Guaratinga stage. "I started well, but I had problems with the transmission battery, but everything went well. In the Prologue I was dehydrated and couldn't do my best. Today I finished the stage feeling good in a hard stage. The most difficult part of the journey was when my bike broke down and I was desperate and desolate. I saw the peloton leaving, and I thought 'the race is over, there's nothing to do'. But I calmed down after doing 10/15 km without shifting, and in the mental struggle. When I found the problem and solved it, and went on. This race was a big breakthrough for me. Today I did my test, I didn't try to follow anyone, I went at my pace and it flowed. The other stages will have to be like this, regardless of the result", she explained. The ranking also included the Brazilian Daniela Costa (6h17m00s) and the German Naima Diesner - Brasil Ride (6h17m09s).
Marcella took the opportunity to thank the partnership of the Grand Master champion duo and category leader Gustavo Jorge and Abraão Azevedo - AAZ Sports, who encouraged and kept her company during part of the race.
Villa - On Thursday (27), the start of the fourth stage, which has 101 km and 2,200 m of climba, will be at 7:30 a.m. The Queen Stage is an extreme test: there are 600 m of climbing on a steep mountain range, for about 8 km. In this stage, the cyclists Alto Cariri National Park, on the border with Minas Gerais, the districts of Monte Alegre and São João do Sul, in Guaratinga and reach the highest point in the seven days, at 780 m altitude. The climb is difficult and challenging, with a lot of single tracks. The stage is also marked by beautiful views. The first three athletes who complete the race until noon are awarded. Official results and awards take place at 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
The CEO of Brasil Ride, Andrea Roma, explained that this stage is one of the most anticipated by all participants. "Yesterday, in the announcement that the stage would be held today, the athletes applauded the initiative. The Village is made with great care to receive the competitors in a comfortable mega-structure, bringing an experience that only Brasil Ride has. Here we have a real city and the comfort so that everyone can go to the next stage with peace of mind. Each flag is a way of saying welcome to Brasil Ride", he concluded.
Classification After Stage 3:
Men
1- Edson Resende (BRA) - Caloi Henrique Avancini Racing - 4h50m35s
2- Henrique Avancini (BRA) - Cannondale Factory Racing - 4h50m36s
3- Tiago Ferreira (POR) - DMT Racing Team by Marconi - 4h50m37s
Women
1- Marcella Toldi (BRA) - Johny Lin / Ciclovia Rio Pinheiros - 6h04m02s
2- Daniela Costa (BRA) - 6h17m00s
3- Naima Diesner (GER) - Brasil Ride - 6h17m09s
GranMaster Duo
1 - Abraão Azevedo/ Gustavo Jorge - AAZ Sports.. - 6h04m:03s
2 - Ricardo Francisco/ Rogério Melo - Unidas Alugue de Carros 6h50m09s
3 - Fernando Oliveira/ Reinaldo Oliveira - Carmelita Piauí - 6h53m09s
