Riders line up to await the start

It's the end of another edition of the Desafio 24-Hour. The fifth year in a row was certainly the biggest, most disputed and most beautiful one. In spite of unusually strong wind and fierce heat, we saw very fit competitors ready for a good battle against the clock.

The race was held the weekend of November 16-18 at the Beach Park Resort, near Fortaleza, Brazil. The course is a 12.9-kilometer (8-mile) out-and-back that has been closed to traffic and stretches along the white sand beach. Though there is only one major hill, Beach Park, which is a short but fierce 200 meters long, the entire course is rolling hills with few flat spots.

For the first time, there was both a 12-hour and a 24-hour race, to give less experienced cyclists a chance to compete without having to brave the night ride. As well, there were two-, four- and six-person teams, four of which set new course records!

In the 24-hour race, there were a surprising 21 solo riders, two of them women. Alziane Diógenes and Paula Fernandes were the only women with the guts to challenge themselves and some of the men. The National elite riders from the ultra-distance scene were at the starting line. Rob Kish was again here and determined to struggle against all the local younger contenders. What a race it would be!

Rob Kish riding along the course's white sand beach

On the women's side, Diógenes, a seasoned and friendly local, started a strong ride that slowly became a hard battle against the tenacious Fernandes. As the hours passed by, Diógenes, who was suffering from a hip injury, began to lose precious time. Fernandes took the lead and held it all the way to the finish line. She demonstrated perfect strategy and raw pedal power even during the dark hours.

The legendary Rob Kish and Krew (aka Brenda Kish) came to the event in order to erase the deception of last's year DNF. In 2006, the cruel Beach Park climb and the first kilometer of the course took its toll on the American by breaking his rear derailer, forcing Kish to stop for more than an hour. The third place was no good for him, and felt that this year he would have a chance against the race favourite, Cláudio Clarindo, two time solo winner of the Desafio 24-Hour (and RAAM 2007 solo finisher). This was supposed to be a race to prove Kish's stamina and determination.

Racing as outsiders were the locals Anderson Lira, Diogo Porto and Wagner Comodoro, and two other strong contenders from other parts of Brazil, Rogério Pacheco and Roberto Menescal. What surprises would unfold with the development of the race?

Women's solo winner Paula Fernandes

As soon as the horn sounded, the riders began to pedal hard, especially the teams (two, four or six riders), who can ride very hard paces from the beginning. The battle for the title in the most disputed category, the quartets, resumed between the four-time winners Reebok Sport Life Team and the rookies Shincariol/Subway/Peugeot Team, the latter a group of professional cyclists. Their riders plus two others from six-person relay teams began the first lap pushing hard off the front. It was time to get to know each other in a raw mental game among the top teams contenders. In the middle of the field were the solo riders and the two and six rider teams, mixed with the more conservative riders and rookies. As the first couple of hours passed by, the wind blew stronger and stronger. The temperatures rose, turning the open road into a smoking mirage.

The leader board kept changing, with even the solo Wagner Comodoro appearing on it. What a rhythm he was holding! As the dusk approached, Rogério Pacheco proved strong enough to push forward. In the four-person relay category, the time gaps were narrowing between the defending champions and the rookies Schincariol/Subway/Peugeot, with the latter slightly ahead.

Right before nightfall, Comodoro vanished for a recovery period and Pacheco became the new leader for the first time in the day. The small cyclist seemed unstoppable, and in fact he stopped only enough to replace water bottles and get some solid food.

Throughout the night, Diogo Porto and Cláudio Clarindo fought for second place, with Kish riding steadily in fifth place. The brutal heat and the Beach Park climb took its toll on almost every rider. Knees were swollen, hands were blistered and faces were sunburned. Even during the night, the wind kept on blowing. Sadly, that's when some of the solo riders called it quits.

Flavia Petri of team Cor de Rosa/Construtora Galvão powers up a hill

So, as the dawn arrived, Pacheco was secure in first place, with Porto riding in second place for his first solo finish at Desafio, and Clarindo in an unexpected third place. Kish seemed to have had another stroke of bad luck on Brazilian soil. During the climb, his Titanium Airborne frame broke right on the chainstay, leaving him with no choice but to quit the race. He was very disappointed in spite of the fact that he was having a hard time trying to catch the riders in the front. Even the strongest and most experienced riders can succumb to the severe conditions of this course. It was the end of this year's game for him.

At the finish line, riders basked in the feeling of a well-deserved finisher medal and celebrated with champagne. Riders trickled past the finish line with smiles stamped on their faces.

In the two-person team category, the Maranguape Team repeated last's year victory, maybe inspiring them to race in the solo category next year.

Men's solo champion Rogério Pacheco

Finishing with a Desafio 24-Hour course record, the four-person relay team Schincariol/Subway/Peugeot did an amazing job of winning the race and leaving the Reebok Sport Life in their dust.

The six-person relay teams were also superb, rookies or not, riding hard lap after lap. They worked as true teams, conquering the challenge of the Desafio with the help of their crews.

In addition to the 24-hour race, there was also a simultaneous 12-hour race for the first time. It was a success, attracting a lot of newcomers, with a total of 48 cycling enthusiasts. It was a great opportunity for those who didn't yet feel comfortable with night riding.

The total of 203 riders proved that the sport of ultracycling has settled firmly on Brazilian soil. Teams and solo riders from all over the country showed up, demonstrating the potential for the young cycling category. The paradise of white sand dunes and green ocean waters, along with the infernal winds and scorching heat, gives the Desafio 24-Hour a special vibe for riders and staff alike.

More information at: http://desafio24h.blogspot.com/

Results

Category/Name	Laps	Distance	Time
24-Hour
Solo Men
Rogerio Pacheco	47	606.3 km (376.7 mi)	24:08:45, Course Record
Diogo Porto	44	567.6 km (352.7 mi)	24:07:37
Cláudio Clarindo	43	554.7 km (344.7 mi)	23:56:42
Anderson Lira Dias	41	528.9 km (328.6 mi)	23:53:23
Wagner Comodoro	37	477.3 km (296.6 mi)	23:56:44
Thiago Mohana	36	464.4 km (288.6 mi)	24:28:09
Anderson Lopes de Sousa	34	438.6 km (272.5 mi)	24:28:08
Marcelo Jardim	33	425.7 km (264.5 mi)	23:39:54
Robert Kish	32	412.8 km (256.5 mi)	18:42:21
Ricardo Ferraz	31	399.9 km (248.5 mi)	22:50:58
Joel Chavez de Peixoto	30	387.0 km (240.5 mi)	24:28:09
Ricardo de Araujo Pereira	29	374.1 km (232.5 mi)	23:35:35
Roberto Menescal	27	348.3 km (216.4 mi)	20:35:27
Jorge Salgueiro	27	348.3 km (216.4 mi)	24:04:01
Tarciso Aragão	26	335.4 km (208.4 mi)	22:07:35
Henrique Valor Caldas	25	322.5 km (200.4 mi)	23:45:42
Tchaykowsky Adriano Lima	14	180.6 km (112.2 mi)	10:41:24
Plácido Aderaldo Castelo Neto	13	167.7 km (104.2 mi)	11:22:35
Eduardo Pereira	7	90.3 km (56.1 mi)	11:36:24
Solo Women
Paula Elizabeth Fernandes	30	387.0 km (240.5 mi)	20:57:52, CR
Alziane Diógenes	25	322.5 km (200.4 mi)	19:38:53
Two-Person Team, Men
Luiz Alberto Arquitetura/Motaciclo	41	528.9 km (328.6 mi)	20:11:24
CB Fitness/Frutas Lessa	33	425.7 km (264.5 mi)	23:44:50
Smartdf	31	399.9 km (248.5 mi)	23:47:23
Two-Person Team, Mixed
Doox/Cia Atlhetica/URB	30	387.0 km (240.5 mi)	16:20:20, CR
Four-Person Team, Men
Schinchariol/Subway/Beach Park	69	890.1 km (553.1 mi)	23:57:28, CR
Reebok/Equipe Life Style Sports	67	864.3 km (537.1 mi)	24:00:05
Babagula	51	657.9 km (408.8 mi)	24:07:30
Champions Gym & Moto Shop	40	516.0 km (320.6 mi)	24:02:34
Four-Person Team, Mixed
Bike Ação 2	50	645.0 km (400.8 mi)	24:12:29
Cia. da Aventura/Extra Farma	48	619.2 km (348.8 mi)	24:27:40
Six-Person Team, Men
Reebok/Honda	61	786.9 km (489.0 mi)	23:46:47
Zona Alvo/Fiat é na Iguauto	57	735.3 km (456.9 mi)	24:01:00
Servis/Pelaggio	56	722.4 km (448.9 mi)	24:08:08
Falx/Copenhagen	56	722.4 km (448.9 mi)	24:21:12
Lazzaretti/Odontotal	55	709.5 km (440.9 mi)	24:19:28
Beach Park	54	696.6 km (432.8 mi)	23:59:21
Dona Florinda	52	670.8 km (416.8 mi)	24:07:26
Stark/Equipe dos 70.6	51	657.9 km (408.8 mi)	24:02:06
RR Team/Tio Ar&Lindo	51	657.9 km (408.8 mi)	24:14:38
Bike Ação 1	50	645.0 km (400.8 mi)	24:12:29
Zona Alvo/CSB Construtora Studart	47	606.3 km (376.7 mi)	23:52:12
Zona Alvo/RBL Distribuidora	47	606.3 km (376.7 mi)	24:07:05
Six-Person Team, Women
Reebok/Esplanada	50	645.0 km (400.8 mi)	23:58:02
Cor de Rosa/Construtora Galvão	43	554.7 km (344.7 mi)	23:58:02
Six-Person Team, Mixed
Zona Alvo/Uirapuru Taxi Aéreo	58	748.2 km (464.9 mi)	24:28:15
Zona Alvo/SC Silvcar	51	657.9 km (408.8 mi)	23:43:22
12-Hour
Four-Person Team
Butenas	30	387.0 km (240.5 mi)	12:23:35, CR
Anderson Bicicletas	27	348.3 km (216.4 mi)	12:07:05
Zona Alvo/SC Silvcar	25	322.5 km (200.4 mi)	12:32:10
Stark/Furacão	24	309.6 km (192.4 mi)	12:16:27
Stark/Bachareca	23	296.7 km (184.4 mi)	12:32:44
Chronos Team Vip	21	270.9 km (168.3 mi)	12:21:55
Stark/Ventania	20	258.0 km (160.3 mi)	12:23:47
The Fellows	18	232.2 km (144.3 mi)	12:09:29
Six-Person Team
Ultima Hora II/Bayer	28	361.2 km (224.4 mi)	12:10:06
Beach Park	27	348.3 km (216.4 mi)	11:58:56