Horak and Spolc make their mark

A solo rider and a 52-year-old Czech real estate magnate made the biggest headlines on the penultimate day of the inaugural Claro Brasil Ride mountain bike stage race on Thursday.

The venue for these heroics was what amounted to a transfer stage, as what's left of this inaugural race's field headed from Rio de Contas north back to Mucuge, the town the event started in on Saturday. Total distance: 135km. Climbing: 1716 meters. Percentage spent on dirt road and pavement: nearly 100 percent.

That opened the door for a more tactical affair, with overall GC leaders content to let non-threatening riders roll up the road. That set the stage for a surprising win by the Czech duo of Milan Spolc and Martins Horak (Ked Eleven), who broke away early with the Jamis Brazilian duo of Gilberto Gois and Ricardo Pscheidt.

"We cooperated fully the entire day until the final uphill of pavement just outside Mucuge," said Spolc, 52, who's among the top masters racers in the ultra-marathon mountain bike world, owning wins in the Crocodile Trophy, Trans Germany and Trans Rockies. "Then we get a small gap and were able to hold them off."

Normally Spolc and Horak would be racing the masters class, which is typically the combined age of the pair, 84 in this case. But the Claro Brasil Ride's rules dictate that both riders must be over 40. So instead of running away with the masters title they sit fourth in the open category.

The top stop remains in the hands of their Czech countrymen Robert Novotny and Kristian Hynek, who were content to sit out the battle for the stage, and simple mark second-placed Christof Bischof and Martin Gujan (Swiss Machine).

With a 17:44 gap and only Friday's relatively flat stage 6 Mucuge circuit remaining, overall victory is all but assured.

The same can be said for the mixed and women's divisions, which for the fifth day in a row saw stage wins for Brian and Jenny Smith and Ivonne Kraft and Celina Carpinteiro respectively. Both teams own all but insurmountable leads in the chase for the overall crowns.

Racing in Bahia, Brazil concludes Friday with a 98.5km Mucuge circuit that is light on climbing and heavy on farm roads. Originally organizers had planned for a shorter more singletrack laden route, but permitting issues within the Chapada Diamantina National Park scuttled that plan.

Race notes

- First across the finish line was actually Brazilian Odair Pereira, but his partner dropped out before the start of the stage due to knee issues, so the result was strictly ceremonial.

- Topeak Ergon's Jeff Kerkove overcame issues with a pedal, and along with partner Sonya Looney ended up second on the stage. Kerkove pedal was actually slipped off the spindle, so instead of unclipping, the pedal was permanently affixed to his shoe and he had to slide it on and off the spindle as necessary.

Results

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Men duo
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Horak Martins & Milan Spolc (Cze) Ked Eleven4:55:50
2Ricardo Pscheidt & Gilberto Gois (Bra) James Crank Brother0:00:05
3Martin Gujan & Christof Bischof (Swi) Swiss Machine0:03:42
4Robert Novotny & Kristian Hynek (Cze) Free Cycling/Factor Bike0:03:44
5Raphael Mesquita Mendes & Cícero Silva (Bra) Moda Cup0:20:41
6João Marinho & Valério Ferreira (Por) Rocky Mountain Portugal0:24:24
7Alexandre Sousa & Mauricio Pereira (Bra) Terra Chapada Diamante0:32:30
8Andy Eyring & Lukas Kaufmann (Ger) European Youngsters Trek-Brentjens0:37:01
9Marcelo Sampaio & Ulisses Valarelli (Bra) Dental Power0:48:41
10Heliesse Santos & Edimilson Santos (Bra) Terra Chapada Ouro0:50:22
11Richard Silva & Felipe Moraes (Bra) Harpia Adventure Race0:52:13
12Helder Carvalho & Pedro Araujo (Por) Rocky Mountain Onbike Portugal1:16:47
13Bruno Lopes & Leonardo Parada (Bra) Tche Poronpa1:18:12
14Rodrigo Gouvea & Denis Yoshio (Bra) Adriana Nascimento II1:19:59
15Alfredo Montenegro & Carlos Lopes (Bra) Savana Bike Shop1:29:34
16Reginaldo Mariano & João Pereira (Bra) Tropical Auto Posto1:29:40
17Paulo Dias & Tiago Rossi (Bra) Ciclovece Reynold's1:33:09
18Rafael Alves & Filipe Xavier (Bra) Brazil Re-Cycling1:45:17
19Francisco Junior & Luis Carvalho (Bra) Bruttus1:45:37
20Fábio Lôbo & Sérgio Lemos (Bra) Casa Do Ciclista2:03:48
21Antonio Filho & Sergio Dourado (Bra) Terra Chapada Cristal2:09:23
22Luzo Passos & Marcos Abitante (Bra) Os Mantiqueira II2:09:28
23Gustavo Astolphi & Giulliano Mendes (Bra) Pedal Urbano2:23:30
24Nuno Duarte & João Elvas (Por) Team Acreditar Portugal2:23:50
25Fernando Fernandes & Edson Oliveira (Bra) Herbie 532:31:53
26Humberto Luis & Tiago Branco (Por) Ami Portugal2:32:22
27Juliano Nunes & Andre Lima (Bra) Tche Bike-RS/Coroas Do Cerrado2:33:27
28Alexandre Hadade & Carlos Fonseca (Bra) Selva2:34:48
29Denio Franco & Felipe Comini (Bra) Libertas Todos Os Santos2:41:06
30Francisco Filho & Plauto Angelo (Bra) Endurance Ii2:47:38
31Alex Constâncio & Marcello Cenci (Bra) Webike/Magura2:48:55
32Guilherme Quissini & Rafael Capoani (Bra) Zero Grau2:54:28
33Wallace Brito & Geraldo Moraes (Bra) Devassa2:54:40
34Plínio Junior & Tadeu Malavazzi (Bra) Clube Do Pedal Team2:54:43
35Raphael Chaves & Jânio Oliveira (Bra) Clã Selvagem3:24:43
36Antonio Calmon & Diogo Rehder (Bra) Espinhaço Selva3:28:28
37Sérgio Marques & Sidnei Marques (Bra) Marques Brother3:31:33
38Roberto Souto & Carlos Esteves (Bra) IBS3:34:33
39Rodrigo Mariotoni & Adriano Seabra (Bra) Xterra Pro Runner3:38:36
40Fouad Artigas & Carlos Carvalho (Bra) Riobici3:40:34
41Ricardo Pupo & Santo Feltrin (Bra) Adriana Nascimento/Specialized3:40:54
42Osvaldo Martins & Marcelo Chinaglia (Bra) Letti/Cccp3:48:34
43Rodolfo Carvalho & Tiago Abati (Bra) Tia Do Batman3:54:18
44Rogério Moda & Fabio Ferreira (Bra) Beep Beep4:00:11
45Rodrigo Suriani & Alexandre Perez (Bra) Gillette/Duracell4:06:14
46José Festugatto & Fábio Festugatto (Bra) Twin Brothers4:36:03
DNFRyan Draper & Michael Buxton (Can) 29er CanadaRow 46 - Cell 2
DNFAlexandre Lima & Emmanuel Stroessner (Bra) Ale Lima Personal TrainerRow 47 - Cell 2
DNFRomeu Franciosi & Anderson Oliveira (Bra) Dague PaiaRow 48 - Cell 2
DNFAlessandro Romano & Amauri Costa (Bra) Harpia IanaRow 49 - Cell 2
DNFRicardo Roldão & Guilherme Rodrigues (Bra) RoldãoRow 50 - Cell 2
DNFCarlos Antunes & Giancarlo Clini (Bra) Scott/TapRow 51 - Cell 2
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Women duo
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Ivonne Kraft & Celina Carpinteiro (Por) Bionicon Loule6:07:57
2Sandra Araujo & Lorenza Menapace (Ita) Round The Clock0:07:54
3Janildes Fernandes Silva & Julyana Rodrigues (Bra) Jaju0:07:56
4Erika Gramiscelli & Raquel Queiroz (Bra) Circuit KHS Pro Ladies1:42:49
5Andrea Estevam & Silvia Guimaraes (Bra) Atenah/Go Outside1:55:39
6Luciana Cox & Adriana Boccia (Bra) Flower People Rocky Mountain2:31:00
DNFCarla Plens & Carolina Hess (Bra) Adriana Nascimento/LimiarRow 6 - Cell 2
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Mixed duo
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Jennifer Hopkinson-Smith & Brian Smith (USA) To Be Decided5:37:13
2Jeff Kerkove & Sonya Looney (USA) Topeak-Ergon0:12:23
3Renata Bucher & Damian Perrin (Swi) Team Zaboo Free - Mountain0:20:38
4Paul Romero & Karen Lundgren (USA) Sole Ellsworth0:36:57
5Orlando Alves & Roberta Santiago (Bra) Ciclo Ravena - Marin0:50:46
6Adriana Nascimento & Rogério Pires (Bra) Brasil Soul1:06:39
7Sabrina Gobbo & João Junior (Bra) Webike1:27:28
8Reginaldo Oliveira & Katia Gomes (Bra) Jundiaí Pró Team1:54:00
9Joana Nobrega & Felipe Rodrigues (Bra) Endurance2:05:19
10Alexandre Teles & Mariza Souza (Bra) Trotamundo2:11:56
DNFFlavia Dall Acqua & Mateus Gil (Bra) Bike Na Midia TeamRow 10 - Cell 2
DNFRaquel Gontijo & Antonio Barbanti (Bra) Espn-BHRow 11 - Cell 2
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Masters duo
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Abraão Azevedo & Plínio Souza (Bra) AZ Masters5:44:34
2Cesar Almeida & Paulo Freitas (Bra) Leite Piracanjuba-Tigre Rolamentos0:10:38
3Rudney Villanova & Alberto Geronimi (Fra) Tecnoval0:11:15
4Gonzalo Ceballos & Pedro Prats (Spa) Titan Desert0:20:20
5Rodrigo Silva & Enrico Favilla (Bra) Caliandra Oz0:43:26
6Eduardo Soares & Jayme Filho (Bra) Os Mantiqueira I1:02:29
7Marcos Soares & Francis Hudson (Bra) Movimec - Soca Bota1:11:38
8Luis Pato & Carlos Reino (Bra) Pcdf/Zero Meia Um1:13:44
9Sergio Silva & Dorivaldo Abreu (Bra) Aky Veiculos Vitoria Da Conquista-Ba1:20:45
10Pedro Neto & Luiz Filho (Bra) Adriana Nascimento I1:33:42
11Sandro Bernardoni & Gerson Doll (Bra) D&B Ride1:47:49
12Santiago Gonzales & Juan Lopez (Col) Trope Shago1:58:55
13Sérgio Sá (Zolino) & Pedro Morganti (Bra) Adventure Camp1:59:06
14Oton Souto & Neuseli Sampaio (Bra) Papaléguas Do Cerrado2:17:52
15Antonio Rodrigues & Marcos Dias (Bra) Tia Sônia2:36:04
16Rodrigo Andrade & José Ambrosio (Bra) Juncambrosio2:39:25
17Carlos Perpetuo & Claudio Kligerman (Bra) Jabuteam2:40:34
18Aluizio Maia & Sérgio Silva (Bra) Calaroti3:07:33
DNFJosé Verçosa & Mauricio Goncalves (Bra) Coroas Do Cerrado 01Row 18 - Cell 2
DNFRobert Schneider & Claudio Van Damme (Bra) Coroas Do CerradoRow 19 - Cell 2
DNFRondon Pinto & Mauro Filho (Bra) Oce MasterRow 20 - Cell 2

General classification after stage 5

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Men duo
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Robert Novotny & Kristian Hynek (Cze) Free Cycling/Factor Bike20:47:31
2Martin Gujan & Bischof Christof (Swi) Swiss Machine0:17:44
3Ricardo Pscheidt & Gilberto Gois (Bra) James Crank Brother1:02:05
4Horak Martins & Spolc Milan (Cze) Ked Eleven1:10:42
5Raphael Mesquita Mendes & Cícero Silva (Bra) Moda Cup1:35:26
6João Marinho & Valério Ferreira (Por) Rocky Mountain Portugal2:19:33
7Alexandre Sousa & Mauricio Pereira (Bra) Terra Chapada Diamante2:46:51
8Andy Eyring & Lukas Kaufmann (Ger) European Youngsters Trek-Brentjens3:41:31
9Marcelo Sampaio & Ulisses Valarelli (Bra) Dental Power4:10:31
10Richard Silva & Felipe Moraes (Bra) Harpia Adventure Race5:08:01
11Heliesse Santos & Edimilson Santos (Bra) Terra Chapada Ouro5:39:36
12Rodrigo Gouvea & Denis Yoshio (Bra) Adriana Nascimento II5:41:42
13Reginaldo Mariano & João Pereira (Bra) Tropical Auto Posto6:05:45
14Helder Carvalho & Pedro Araujo (Por) Rocky Mountain Onbike Portugal6:39:33
15Bruno Lopes & Leonardo Parada (Bra) Tche Poronpa7:42:45
16Alfredo Montenegro & Carlos Lopes (Bra) Savana Bike Shop8:18:06
17Paulo Dias & Tiago Rossi (Bra) Ciclovece Reynold's8:34:03
18Rafael Alves & Filipe Xavier (Bra) Brazil Re-Cycling8:38:40
19Francisco Junior & Luis Carvalho (Bra) Bruttus8:50:57
20Juliano Nunes & Andre Lima (Bra) Tche Bike-RS/Coroas Do Cerrado9:24:03
21Fábio Lôbo & Sérgio Lemos (Bra) Casa Do Ciclista9:59:08
22Antonio Filho & Sergio Dourado (Bra) Terra Chapada Cristal10:00:25
23Luzo Passos & Marcos Abitante (Bra) Os Mantiqueira II10:09:47
24Gustavo Astolphi & Giulliano Mendes (Bra) Pedal Urbano10:23:21
25Alexandre Hadade & Carlos Fonseca (Bra) Selva11:04:04
26Rogério Moda & Fabio Ferreira (Bra) Beep Beep11:39:22
27Wallace Brito & Geraldo Moraes (Bra) Devassa11:45:32
28Fernando Fernandes & Edson Oliveira (Bra) Herbie 5312:00:04
29Guilherme Quissini & Rafael Capoani (Bra) Zero Grau12:06:56
30José Festugatto & Fábio Festugatto (Bra) Twin Brothers12:14:58
31Nuno Duarte & João Elvas (Por) Team Acreditar Portugal12:35:35
32Humberto Luis & Tiago Branco (Por) Ami Portugal12:46:06
33Denio Franco & Felipe Comini (Bra) Libertas Todos Os Santos13:04:59
34Alex Constâncio & Marcello Cenci (Bra) Webike/Magura13:08:20
35Plínio Junior & Tadeu Malavazzi (Bra) Clube Do Pedal Team13:31:10
36Ricardo Pupo & Santo Feltrin (Bra) Adriana Nascimento/Specialized15:02:41
37Antonio Calmon & Diogo Rehder (Bra) Espinhaço Selva15:23:47
38Francisco Filho & Plauto Angelo (Bra) Endurance Ii15:37:29
39Fouad Artigas & Carlos Carvalho (Bra) Riobici15:39:56
40Raphael Chaves & Jânio Oliveira (Bra) Clã Selvagem15:58:30
41Rodrigo Mariotoni & Adriano Seabra (Bra) Xterra Pro Runner16:19:34
42Roberto Souto & Carlos Esteves (Bra) IBS16:35:15
43Rodrigo Suriani & Alexandre Perez (Bra) Gillette/Duracell16:51:36
44Rodolfo Carvalho & Tiago Abati (Bra) Tia Do Batman16:57:19
45Sérgio Marques & Sidnei Marques (Bra) Marques Brother17:49:22
46Osvaldo Martins & Marcelo Chinaglia (Bra) Letti/Cccp17:51:29
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Women duo
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Ivonne Kraft & Celina Carpinteiro (Por) Bionicon Loule25:54:50
2Janildes Fernandes Silva & Julyana Rodrigues (Bra) Jaju1:16:53
3Sandra Araujo & Lorenza Menapace (Ita) Round The Clock1:18:46
4Erika Gramiscelli & Raquel Queiroz (Bra) Circuit KHS Pro Ladies5:42:45
5Andrea Estevam & Silvia Guimaraes (Bra) Atenah/Go Outside8:19:16
6Luciana Cox & Adriana Boccia (Bra) Flower People Rocky Mountain11:24:32
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Mixed duo
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Jennifer Hopkinson-Smith & Brian Smith (USA) To Be Decided23:49:26
2Renata Bucher & Damian Perrin (Swi) Team Zaboo Free - Mountain0:57:44
3Jeff Kerkove & Sonya Looney (USA) Topeak-Ergon1:30:40
4Paul Romero & Karen Lundgren (USA) Sole Ellsworth1:58:38
5Adriana Nascimento & Rogério Pires (Bra) Brasil Soul4:21:01
6Orlando Alves & Roberta Santiago (Bra) Ciclo Ravena - Marin6:12:20
7Sabrina Gobbo & João Junior (Bra) Webike7:02:11
8Alexandre Teles & Mariza Souza (Bra) Trotamundo8:16:27
9Joana Nobrega & Felipe Rodrigues (Bra) Endurance9:35:07
10Reginaldo Oliveira & Katia Gomes (Bra) Jundiaí Pró Team12:45:46
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Masters duo
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Abraão Azevedo & Plínio Souza (Bra) AZ Masters24:20:45
2Gonzalo Ceballos & Pedro Prats (Spa) Titan Desert1:27:46
3Cesar Almeida & Paulo Freitas (Bra) Leite Piracanjuba-Tigre Rolamentos1:38:23
4Rudney Villanova & Alberto Geronimi (Fra) Tecnoval2:55:24
5Eduardo Soares & Jayme Filho (Bra) Os Mantiqueira I3:18:09
6Rodrigo Silva & Enrico Favilla (Bra) Caliandra Oz4:05:33
7Sandro Bernardoni & Gerson Doll (Bra) D&B Ride7:19:24
8Marcos Soares & Francis Hudson (Bra) Movimec - Soca Bota7:24:12
9Luis Pato & Carlos Reino (Bra) Pcdf/Zero Meia Um7:50:03
10Pedro Neto & Luiz Filho (Bra) Adriana Nascimento I7:57:45
11Sergio Silva & Dorivaldo Abreu (Bra) Aky Veiculos Vitoria Da Conquista-Ba8:29:58
12Santiago Gonzales & Juan Lopez (Col) Trope Shago8:32:11
13Sérgio Sá (Zolino) & Pedro Morganti (Bra) Adventure Camp10:07:32
14Oton Souto & Neuseli Sampaio (Bra) Papaléguas Do Cerrado10:51:15
15Antonio Rodrigues & Marcos Dias (Bra) Tia Sônia12:56:07
16Rodrigo Andrade & José Ambrosio (Bra) Juncambrosio13:24:24
17Carlos Perpetuo & Claudio Kligerman (Bra) Jabuteam13:59:42
18Aluizio Maia & Sérgio Silva (Bra) Calaroti14:09:30

 

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