Registration for Ecuador’s Vuelta al Cotopaxi opens soon
Jacqueline Windh / 13.09.2008
Vuelta al Cotopaxi is Ecuador’s premier mountain bike race - a two-day, 140 km event around Cotopaxi Volcano taking place November 29-30. The racing takes place at elevations between 3000 and 4100 m, with the route surpassing the 4000 m mark both days. This is the 4th running of the race, and it usually sells out, so organizers are working towards have this year’s maximum increased to 400 racers (200 teams of 2).Adventure-racing great Rebecca Rusch has turned her attention to mountain biking these last few years, and she will be racing Vuelta al Cotopaxi as well as sending her reports from the course in to SleepMonsters.
Rebecca is will known in the AR world for her top finishes at numerous races around the world over the last decade. For those who wonder why we haven’t seen her at so many adventure races these last two years, it’s because she has switched her focus to mountain biking - and in no small way! Rebecca is both 2007 and 2008 reigning 24-hour Solo MTB World Champion! This year she finished an hour and a half ahead of the next female - then went on to win the USA 24-hour Nationals with her team Ketchum If You Can/Specialized only two weeks later.
Rebecca will be racing with American Greg Martin. She lists his accomplishments (current 24 Hour World MTB Champion (in single speed division) as well as top finishes in 24 Hours of Moab, 24 Hour Nationals, and various other 100 mile and endurance stage races) but she adds, “He is also a friend of mine, so travel and racing together would be a lot more fun for me with someone that I know. I’m sure people understand the importance of this from AR.â€
Organizers indicate that the race route is a complete circuit around Cotopaxi Volcano which, at 5897 m, is the highest active volcano in the world. “The climate here is mild,†says organizer Daniel, and you will always be able to see Cotopaxi at your side - as well as many of the other volcanoes in the region (Pasochoa, Rumiñahui, Sincholagua, Antisana, Quilindaña, Iliniza) which make this such an incredible landscape.
The race takes place in Cotopaxi National Park, only an hour’s drive from the national capital Quito, and race organizers will arrange transport for racers between Quito and the race location. For more information about the region, visit: www.thebestofecuador.com/pncoto.htm
Rebecca indicates that she and Greg are very excited about this race, and are using it as their last training motivation for the 2008 bike racing season. “There will be snow on the ground in Idaho by the time we travel to Ecuador, so the warmer equatorial weather will be a welcome change.â€
Although AR has taken Rebecca all over the world, Ecuador is one place that she still has not made it to. “I have been enamored with the Cotopaxi region of Ecuador ever since watching videos of the Raid Gauloises adventure race that took place in that area in 1998. I was just starting adventure racing and the images of the volcano, the local people and the beauty of that area have stayed etched in my mind. Now 10 years later, I am finally getting the opportunity to travel and race there.â€
Organizers have not yet opened up registration, as they are waiting to confirm the total number of racers for 2008. They will announce the registration opening date (the actual race is November 29-30) on their website one week in advance, and indicate that this race usually sells out on the first day - so if you are interested, keep a close eye on: www.cotopaxi.cikla.net
