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October, 2021 - Always outstanding in the lives of cyclists who manage to complete the seven days of competition, the so-called "finishers", the Santander Brasil Ride Bahia ultramarathon will be a more than special milestone in the career of two young athletes. At the age of 20 and 19, respectively, Gustavo Xavier, from Piedade, from São Paulo, and Alex Malacarne, from Medianeira, from Paraná, representatives of Specialized Racing BR, will finally be able to debut in the main premium stage race in the world, between November 7th and 13th, in Arraial d'Ajuda, in Porto Seguro, and in Guaratinga, cities located in the extreme south of Bahia.
At least 18 years old to compete, Gustavo Xavier had to wait for the race to be postponed, in just over a year, to finally debut in the event. And, alongside Alex Malacarne, the duo arrives quite confident. Both are experiencing a great moment in their professional careers, being current champion (Xavier) and vice (Malacarne) of the Festival Santander Brasil Ride Botucatu, the largest outdoor sports event in Latin America.
"Alex and I are at a very similar level. I believe they will be a super good team, aiming to win the title of champion of the Americas. But, we know it is a long race, seven days, in other words, anything can happen If we walk well and perform well, this will definitely be the difference in our first experience at the event. Alex will be in his third ultramarathon, having run one in Europe and the other in South Africa. and, really, I don't know what to expect, in terms of pace. I know we'll give it our best," says Xavier, current Brazilian U23 champion.
"I've always wanted to run the ultramarathon. In 2020 it would be my first year, but unfortunately it was postponed. I'm very anxious, happy and happy to be able to participate and live this emotion of seven days pedaling, enjoying and suffering", evaluates Xavier. "It will be a great pleasure to compete alongside world sports stars, people who are our idols, with a very high level of mountain biking. It will be a super opportunity and experience, we will learn a lot in this fantastic event, a true celebration of our sport", concludes the cyclist from São Paulo.
Packaged after competing in South Africa - Despite his young age, Alex Malacarne arrives at Santander Brasil Ride Bahia with an experience that few participants of the 11th edition were able to experience: that of competing in the Cape Epic ultramarathon. Alongside the Swiss Christoph Sauser, 2008 world champion and Olympic medalist in Sydney 2000, Malacarne was ranked 13th in the 2021 edition of the South African event.
"I've wanted to compete in Santander Brasil Ride Bahia for a long time. I've already tried to compete in the event, talking to Mario Roma. I went there and talked to him, came back and spoke again, but in fact only from the under-23 category onwards, at 19, I could compete in Bahia. And this is the first year I can. Racing with Gustavo, my teammate and who shares the tracks with me, because we are almost the same age, will be really cool. -Up in Botucatu, to get to know us better and to seek rapport, and it was very productive", highlights Malacarne.
"I was at Cape Epic with Sauser and learned a lot too. This only encouraged me even more to compete in Bahia, just two weeks after the race was held in South Africa. I'm going to put into practice a lot of what I learned from the Swiss. I'll even be able to share this knowledge with Gustavo there in Arraial and Guaratinga, that's why I'm very excited for Santander Brasil Ride Bahia. It will be our first participation and I believe we have a chance to dispute the top 3 and also the shirt of leader of the Americas, our initial objective, without ceasing to fight with foreigners for the first places", he concludes.
The ultramarathon - Considered the Giro d'Italia of the MTB worldwide, Santander Brasil Ride Bahia offers a challenge for participants. For seven days, the cyclists face 600 km and 13.000 m of accumulated altitude, between tracks and dirt roads that link Arraial d'Ajuda, in Porto Seguro, to Guaratinga, in Vila Santander Brasil Ride.
The 11th edition of the event - The current champions, Tiago Ferreira (POR) and Hans Becking (HOL), will be on opposite sides in the dispute for another ultramarathon title. While Ferreira, alongside Belgian Wout Alleman, goes in search of his third title of the competition, Hans will try to isolate himself as the greatest champion of the event, in the fight for his fourth champion trophy of the event, competing with Portuguese José Dias, current Bronze medal at the World Marathon Championships (XCM).
Santander Brasil Ride: More than a race, a stage in your life.
More information about Santander Brasil Ride:
Website: www.brasilride.com.br
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BRAZILIDE
Instagram: www.instagram.com/brasilride
Press information for ZDL Sports:
ZDL Sports - Gustavo Coelho / Doro Jr. - Mtb 13209
Email: gustavo@zdl.com.br
Website: http://zdl.pressroom.com.br
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ZDLSports
Instagram: www.instagram.com/zdlsports
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ZDLcomunica
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