BRAZIL RIDE: THE LAST EVENT OF THE SEASON
BRASIL RIDE BAHIA 2022
31 / 10 / 2022
The Brasil Ride, one of the most prestigious and well-known Cross Country Marathon events in the MTB world, finished this weekend after 7 stages, 600km and 13.000m of accumulated vertical drop. Hans Becking and Hugo Drechou travelled to the south of Bahia, better known as Discovery Coast Brazil, to represent the BUFF-Megamo Team in this challenging event. The route started in Porto Seguro-Arraial d'Ajuda, and continued inland through the mountains that divide the states of Bahia and Minas Gerais, before returning to the coast to finish what would be the last event of the season.
The truth is that the team started very well, in the first stage Hans Becking got the first podium consolidating the third position, while Hugo crossed the finish line in the 8th position. Stage 2 was cancelled due to bad weather conditions and that made the third stage even more intense. The mud and humidity left a really tough track, but despite the difficulties, Hans took again the third position, while Hugo consolidated the seventh.
It was from the fourth stage onwards where luck was not on our side, due to some health problems the team lost positions in the ranking. Hans had an allergic reaction to a plant that left him out of action and Hugo began to feel the weight of fatigue in his legs. There were still 3 stages to go and it was clear to them that giving up was not an option. Their goal was to finish the race and not give up, so both the Frenchman and the Dutchman gave their all and fought to the end.
In the last stage of the Brasil Ride, Hugo managed to get on the podium in third place. Hans led the stage until the last 10km, but due to bad luck he suffered a broken gearbox which left him far from the top positions.
Congratulations Hans and Hugo for your role in Brazil, despite the adversities you have shown your talent and commitment to the team in a really demanding race. There is no better way to finish the season than fighting until the end, congratulations to the whole team!
Fotos: Alemao Silva, Ney Evangelista, Rosita Belinky, Nicolás Ferri y Wladimir Togumi.
