2014-10-13

BRASIL RIDE 2014 HAS STRONG IMPORTANCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ATHLETES FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Focus on high performance sport is one of the pillars of Brasil Ride Mountain Bike Stage Race between the 19th and the 25th of October in Chapada Diamantina - Bahia.

The biggest mountain bike race of Americas will start soon, and it will be between the 19th and the 25th of October, covering around 600 km of trails and historic tracks in Chapada Diamantina (Bahia). The 5th Brasil Ride, known as "More than a competition, a stage of your life" has the mission to collaborate with development of athletes on the way to the Summer Olympic Games in Rio 2016.

"The Brasil Ride event is our display. Brasil Ride is really the base for our sport development. This event has brought more and more pro level riders and I believe that high-level athletes and particularities of Brasil Ride race are a great combination. Because this is the best we have to prepare athletes giving the opportunity for Brazilian cyclists to compete with international pro riders helping to raise the level for the Olympic Games", said Andréa Marcellini, that raced at the 2013 Brasil Rider and is UCI coordinator (International Cycling Union). 

Since 2013, Brasil Ride competition gives the athletes a chance to get points in the UCI international ranking. This is a good opportunity for local riders to get important points to represent Brazil in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

"Riding with international riders in Brasil is very positive and different than competing overseas. Riding at "home" the local riders become more confident and can perform better. I would say that things get in balance and nowadays Brasil Ride is the most important race in Brasil. It's the opportunity to race with famous riders in our Country, and we are in the middle of our Olympic cycle so this is a chance to improve riding techniques, tactics and race experience side to side with high performance riders." Comments Henrique Avancini, 2013 Brasil Ride Champion and 19th place in UCI World Ranking, the best position in the history of Brazilian Mountain Biking.

"Brasil Ride came to raise the level of Brazilian and International Mountain Biking. The race helps not just the exchange with foreigners, but it is also a good learning in the career of each rider. This process has been fundamental for me, and I could really learn my limit, in body and psychological levels. The international riders raise the level of the race and we, Brazilians, know that this level is higher worldwide, so this is the opportunity to be close, and been able to fight for the victory turns not just Brasil Ride bigger, but also it gives bigger value to all of us" - Márcio Ravelli, Olympic cyclist that represented Brasil in the Atlanta 96 Olympic Games. 

The competition brings the most important riders from Brasil and abroad, including our National Champions in the Olympic mountain bike cross-country (XCO) discipline, Isabella Lacerda and Frederico Mariano.

"It's going to be my first Brasil Ride and I believe that I will experience several productive things in my professional career as an athlete. Considering that Brasil Ride is very positive for mountain biking evolution, I believe that I will improve on many questions, because beyond I get points on UCI ranking, I will improve my experience and knowledge, racing side to side with the best riders in the world! Having these riders here, we will all improve a lot, and definitely we will get more confidence because we will understand better these athletes knowing their strong and weak points!" - said Frederico Mariano, 2014 Brazilian Champion in the Olympic Cross Country discipline.

Brasil Ride is also an incentive for technical improvement of cyclists:

"At the Brasil Ride the improvement and evolution of an athlete happens in many ways. During the race we train endurance thanks for long and demanding stages. The explosion also happens, in special during first and third days of race. At the competition we also improve our recovery process. During seven days we need to recover as quick as possible for the next challenge. Because it's a stage race, contrary to what many think, cyclists can improve their riding techniques, and this is one of the most demanding concepts inside the race, where amateur riders can notice the most significant improvements. Beyond these concepts, there are seven days breathing mountain biking, with new experiences and learning at each stage". Sherman Trezza de Paiva, 2013 Brasil Ride Champion.

Brasil Ride, that is organized since 2010, has been providing the appearance of new cycling talents, like Alexandre Sousa, 27 years old, from Vale do Capão (BA), that started to ride 5 years ago, after the invitation to attend the Mtn. Bike Stage Race, with start in Mucugê.

"Mountain Biking is growing a lot and nowadays bike is a fever in the region. People look at us training every day, in that group of uniformed cyclists, climbing and descending the streets. So, besides being gaining good results and podiums for our State, I believe that we are encouraging other people to ride", said Alexandre that raced for the first time on a borrowed bicycle and nowadays is considered the best XCO athlete in Bahia State.

"Before (2010) I used to ride just for fun, than I encouraged Anilton Rocha (Tia Sônia / Café Mucugê team rider) and nowadays there are around 20 cyclists from Vale do Capão riding in a good level, and some of them have already competed, however it's tough with limited resources. In Mucugê town the quantity of cyclists is even bigger, there is a group of around 60 riders and also a group of women. Everybody is buying new bikes, and there is a guy who lives from bringing bikes and parts from Vitória da Conquista to sell in Mucugê", said Sousa, that during the competition takes the opportunity to learn and continue to improve thanks to foreigners presence.

"Let's get closer to the foreigners to learn what they do. Since we are competing at Brasil Ride, their high level forced us to get more prepared, with food supplementation, for example", added Alexandre that is constant presence in the top 10 peloton during Brasil Ride.

The truth is that during 7 days of riding in the Chapada Diamantina, Brasil Ride event offers and complete package of challenges, which will be relevant for all career of each cyclist.
"Brasil Ride, while it's not a Olympic Cross Country race (with the exception of the stage on the 3th day), is race with extremely high level, whether in physical, technical and psychological points of view. For every athlete that competes in this race and specially the for the ones that finishes, it's unquestionable the improvement of his level as a cyclist", said Ricardo Pschedit, 3 Times XCO Brazilian Champion, from São Bento do Sul (SC).

"Each year, more people joins the competition, but it's not just that, the race became tougher due to the level of the athletes disputing. More and more, World Class riders, like World Champions and also Olympic Champions are landing in Brasil for the challenge, so it's unquestionable that having these athletes, media will get more interested about the event and eventually it will be released to the great mass. As athletes, we have the privilege to be close and compete against icons in the sport and always learning a bit more" added the cyclist from Santa Catarina State.

"We are proud to contribute to our national athletes in the achievement of more athletes vacancies for the Olympic Games in Rio", added Mário Roma.

The biggest challenge on mountain bikes in Latin America - BRASIL RIDE 2014 - will be from the 19th to the 25th of October, covering about 600 km between trails and historic tracks in the Chapada Diamantina region, in Bahia State, bringing professional and amateur riders from 20 countries and from over 20 Brazilian states, for an unique experience at the heart of the country, with 7 days of a lot of cycling, self knowledge and contact with nature.

Keep all information about Brasil Ride at the palm of your hand. Download the mobile application of Brasil Ride NOW on your iPhone or Android. Visit: www.brasilride.com

Press Contact:
Andre Piva
Phone: +55 (11) 982 420 488
press@brasilride.com