Pinto and Ferreira extend lead on stage 4

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Racers were challenged by high heat and mountains on day 4 of the Brasil Ride. The temperature reached 50 degrees Celsius in Chapada Diamantina. Racers faced 81km on a course around the Barbado Peak Mountains at 2,033m.

"Today was my favorite day," agreed Portuguese cyclists Pedro Duque e Nelson Rosado (Bike Angels 1) and Marco Chagas and Nuno Margaþa (Bike Angels 3).

Portuguese race leaders Luís Leão Pinto and Tiago Ferreira (Lapierre Cyles) again dominated the stage, with their "conservative" pace still resulting in a significant increase to their time gap over the Czechs Martin Horak and Thomas Vokrouhlik (BMC Racing Savo), who are in second overall.

Brazilians Gilberto Gois and Josemberg "Montoya" (Trust Bikes / JC Bikes) were strong in the stage and sit in third place overall. They lead the Brazilians category.

Brazil-Japan duo Kohei Yamamoto and Daniel Carneiro (Specialized Brasil/ Tripp Aventura) are in fourth.

"Brasil Ride is more challenging than the Cape Epic," said Olympic champion Bart Brentjens. "The tracks are more technical and will surely attract more people and elite athletes, especially with the UCI status for next year." His team Superior Milka MTB is in fifth place overall.

On day 4, there was another duel in the grand masters category as the top three teams are within five minutes of each other.

However, in the women's, mixed and masters categories, the leaders opened up their advantages during the day's stage. Adriana Nascimento and Daniela Genovesi (RC Bikes - Brasil Soul) increased their lead over the runners-up.

2011 mixed champions Mateus Ferraz and Ivonne Kraft (RC Bikes - Brasil Soul) and Master champions Abraão Azevedo and Paulo Borges (RC Bikes - Brazil Soul) are now one day closer to winning their categories.

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