The first 3 stages are in the bag here at Brasil Ride Espinhaco and I’m sitting 12th overall. Stage 1 was a brief 14 km prologue on some great trails, the diesel engine was just getting warmed up and the race was over in 43 minutes, finishing 10th. Stage 2 was a longer 49 km lap in the surrounding green hills. Looking to get back into the mix I set the tempo up the first climb going off the front, setting some King of the Mountains then settling into a good rhythm in position 4-6. Unfortunately, a small crash while trying to pass a rider on a long rugged descent sent me back into the group. Then the body severely overheated in the tropical heat, leading to a proper meltdown. It was tough to finish the stage after that! The Biosphere down here in Brazil is sure different than the dry, cool, high-altitude climate of Guatemala where I have been training for a few months.
The Queen’s stage at Brasil ride was one to remember taking us into the beautiful Serra do Intendente natural park. After the full tropics meltdown on stage 2, I was concerned about even finishing the 83km, 2300 vm stage 3. Going out conservatively, dangling off the back of the lead group of 15 riders, I’d stop at the first feed zone to reload the bottles with fresh cold water while the rest rode away. From that point on the body came alive, in large part thanks to the cloudy weather and cooler temperatures as we climbed up to a plateau at 1400 meters in the Park. The riding was awesome with a big climb, a nice traverse across the top then an epic 30-minute single track descent down a proper rugged, rocky natural trail. I tried to focus on the trail without being distracted by the waterfalls and gorgeous surrounding landscapes. As the day went on I was picking riders off and soon had 5/6th in sight. After a long chase, I’d catch them on the finishing climb and attack right away as the legs were good. I couldn’t shake the one guy, he just stuck to my wheel not wanting to pull, so we had a sprint for 5th, unfortunately, the gears slipped and he got it but it was nice to have the power back after a rough one yesterday.
A shorter 24km XCO is on deck today then a 50km Marathon for the finale tomorrow. Let’s go!!
Thanks to Brasil Ride for the photos.
