Extreme Adventure Hidalgo 2007
World Champions Team NIKE of Colorado takes the win.
Paul Romero / Team Sole / 07.10.2007
Stage 3 of the Extreme Adventure Hidalgo is typically a parade day, a celebration of the sport and of the state of Hidalgo Mexico. Teams just need to stick it out, make no major errors and hold onto what ever advantage they have.Stage 1 created the spread amongst the top 4 teams when with Buff Cool-Max and Sole making errors costing those valuable minutes. Stage 2 was the 24 hour rumble when the top 3 podium teams slugged it out in the bush for a day and a night….only to cross the line side by side. Stage 3 did nothing for the finish results, but did create an experience most racers won’t finish. Typically organizer Ernesto Rivas makes dang sure that villagers from ALL over come to welcome racers to the giant finish. He did not disappoint this year.
Again, our only report from the race is from Team SOLE captain Karen Lundgren. “The stage was as expected, fast and intense. We were doing well until a puncture on Chad’s Bike. We repaired, moved on and came into all kinds of commotion when teams reunited at some tunnels, people coming from all directions.�
The most excitement came at the end of the stage, when team’s inline skated for 8km to the finish. This is a new sport to the Extreme Adventure Hidalgo. “It was a freakin obstacle course. There were steep hills, rail road tracks, wild turns and an action packed 8km. We were glad we had some skills, but some teams were struggling on the skates. Some hard falls were happening, hope nobody got hurt!�
The last stage of the race, is the one that is most celebrated at the Extreme Adventure Hidalgo. Organizers make sure everyone is packed for their flights home, then they host a giant no holds barred celebration. In years past, this celebration begins with a stadium full of people for the podium and prize giving, followed by a large concert of pop artists. Then large deluxe buses transport everyone to private hacienda. The festivities and stories are too vast for this report, but this reporter will just say that it must be experienced by every racer or journalist that thinks they have seen it all.See All Event Posts
