2022-10-27

Andreas Seewald wins the Queen Stage, and Avancini is the leader

In the women's dispute, Marcella Toldi opens a 20-minute gap; the events’ structure is praised by the UCI Commissaire

After a night at Vila Santander Brasil Ride, the athletes rode the Queen Stage, with the 8-kilometer Serra Alto Cariri National Park 780-meter climb in the first part of the stage, followed by amazing descents. Under a scorching sun, the course featured singletracks and sections of rural roads, which facilitated the strategy between competitors.

The winner of the day was Andreas Seewald (GER) - Canyon Northwaretb Team, 2021 world champion, and UCI Marathon number one.  Seewald attacket before the start of the big climb, and maintained the gap during the 101 kilometers and 2,440 ascension meters of the stage.

"Even though I only knew a small section of the circuit, I attacked at the beginning of the climb and opened up a distance. It was a real roller coaster with many surprises. I am very happy with this win."

Henrique Avancini responded to the attack and kept the second place until the finish line, maintaining the yellow jersey. With a time of 3h56m37, the German arrived more than 4 minutes ahead of runner-up Henrique Avancini (BRA) - Cannondale Factory Racing (4h02m55s). Edson Rezende (BRA) - Caloi Henrique Avancini Racing (4h05m50s) was third. 

GC - Avancini still maintains the lead of the GC, with an almost 5-minute gap ahead of Tiago Ferreira (POR) - DMT Racingo Team by Marconi. Even with the win today, Seewald occupies is fifth in the GC, and is more than 25 minutes behind Avancini.

Marcella Toldi (BRA) - Johny Lin / Ciclovia Rio Pinheiros (5h09m12s) rolled through the tracks and secured her third consecutive win, 20 minutes ahead of Naima Diesner (GER) - Brasil Ride (5h29m32s) and 38 minutes ahead of Daniela Costa (BRA) (5h47m43s). In the women's GC, Marcela leads with a wide gap: She is 44 minutes ahead of Diesner (GER).

"Today I started out with the first peloton, and I knew I would flow well with them and save energy for the climb. I looked after myself, eating and hydrating well and finding 'good wheels' to go with. Also, for the first day, I didn't have any mechanical problems and that made me very happy."

Company - The undefeated corporate trio of the 2022 season, Carlos Paixão, Marcus Silva and Wallace Assis - Team First Bike Jundiaí / Tutano Bike / MRV Construtora, partnered up with the Arraial d'Ajuda local duo Guarini - Raone Gonçalves and the São Paulo Anderson Molinari (Brazil Ride/ 9th Wave/Goodyear) winners of this year's four stages. For the duo, the stage was hot and hard, but they had a strategy and a favorable gap over the second duo.

"We started between the leaders and kept a comfortable stride, leaving the attack to the end, but it wasn't necessary. We can't talk about victory yet, as there are two stages to finish. We will clebrate at the end, because tomorrow a lot of people will try to make the difference. Our strategy is to energy save for the last stage", highlighted the Guarinis.

Children - On the afternoon of the Queen stage, young people from the Capoeira de Guaratinga group and the city's Martial Band performed in the village. Betânia Vitória de Souza and Elane Silva are part of the band and commented that coming to Vila Santander is an event. 

"It's the second year we've participated and it's really cool," they said. Edilene Alves Santos is in the Capoeira Guaratinga, and an advisor to Professor Vevéi, a partner of the Guaratinga Sports Department. "This is the second time that we participate in this activity with Capoeira students.  Coming here is an event for them and for us.  It makes a difference in their lives."  

Guaratinga Stage - Arraial d'Ajuda - Tomorrow, October 28th, the return stage to Arraial d'Ajuda is the longest: with 135 km and 2,200 accumulated climbing.

UCI - Representing the UCI, Canadian Commisaire Fred Seemann was also camping at Vila Santander Brasil Ride Bahia and spoke of the mountain biker experience at its core.

"As we expect a child to grow up and become a good adult, in Brasil Ride the same thing happens as Stage Race, because it is already very mature, offering a complete experience. It's amazing to see professional athletes, cycling stars and world champions sharing the same space inside the camp with everyday people and enthusiasts.  All live in the same environment, different from other races. I feel it on my skin, I've sent videos to friends in Canada so they can understand what I'm feeling, however they won't know what it is.  Just experiencing it all," he explained.

Medical Truck - Another social action is being spearheaded by Brasil Ride Institute: during the days in which the ultramarathon is held, a medical truck is made available for urgent and emergency care for participants and, to help rural communities, a pilot program was tested today, to help the population. According to the mayor of the Villa Brasil Ride, Rafael Rocha, the surrounding communities lack assistance, since the place where the camp is installed is 14 km from the central area of the municipality.

"With this, we want to carry out a health action during our stay and do more for the community helps us to maintain the quality of service for all participants in Guaratinga", he pointed out.

Brasil Ride CEO, Andrea Roma, spoke of the importance of this project, which must be carried out once a year, during the season when the Vila receives athletes. "The proximity to the community made us see how much we can do for those who receive us with such affection. Our gesture is small, but we are sure that it will be great for those who receive it".

Surprise - To further surprise the participants of the 2022 season, the founder of Brasil Ride, Mario Roma made an announcement for next year. "Santander Brasil Ride Bahia 2023 will have major changes in two days of competition - on the way to Guaratinga (after the Prologue) and back to Arraial (after the Queen Stage). Athletes and bikes are going to be transferred to the Village and back”, said Mario.

With this, the logistics will be modified, says the founder. "We always seek to innovate and deliver a premium race, above average. We think outside the box and it is no wonder that Santander Brasil Ride has stood out in the MTB segment, with the ultramarathons Portugal, Espinhaço, Botucatu, Bonito and Bahia. We have already tested this logistics in Bonito, and developed a fantastic experience. We will do the same here in 2023", he stressed.

Classification After Stage 4: 

Men

1- Andreas Seewald (GER) - Cannyon Northwaretb Team - 3h56m37
2 - Henrique Avancini (BRA) - Cannondale Factory Racing - 4h02m55s
3 - Edson Rezende (BRA) - Caloi Henrique Avancini  Racing - 4h05m50s

Women

1- Marcella Toldi (BRA) - Johny Lin / Ciclovia Rio Pinheiros - 5h09m12s
2- Naima Diesner (GER)  - Brasil Ride  - 5h29m32s
3 - Daniela Costa (BRA) - 5h47m43s

Duo Master

1 - Hugo Neto/João Pereira - Specialized BR Oce Powerhouse 4Funbikecenter - 4h27m55s
2 - Rodrigo Nunes / Thiago Machado - Go Gringo MTB Racing TCM Medicina Esporte SSCC - 4h46m13s
3 - Valério Ferreira / Carlos Ramos (POR) - VF Osteo Trepanelas Barbot - 4h56m53s

Nellore Duo

1 - Adriano Couto / Danilo Rabelo - Bianchini / Madereira Andrade - 6h31m30s
2 - Lucas Delatorre / Felipe Faria - Baleia Supermarkets - 6h51m06s

Corporate Trio

1 - Carlos Paixão, Marcus Silva e Walace Assis - Time First Bike Jundiaí / Tutano Bike/ MRV Construtora - 5h00m24s
2 - Wagner Quirino / Enrico Julio / Newton Martins - Team Clarity - 5h14m15s
3 - Leonardo Pieczkolan/ Elvis Pellizari / Rodrigo Trevisan - Curitiba Team - 5h29m13s

All results can be checked on the website http://www.brasilride.com.br/live 

Santander Brasil Ride Bahia is sponsored by the Department of Sports,  Ministry of Citizenship, Santander, Specialized, Continental Tires, Shimano and Unidas Rent a Car, Garmin, Red Bull, HB, Squirt, and Porto Seguro and Guaratinga Municipalities. The race has the support of Full Gas