Ecomotion/Pro 2009
Team Sole Joined Team Oskalunga for Ecomotion this Year
Paul Romero (Team Sole / Oskalunga) / 30.11.2009
Last year's dynamic 4-some Team SOLE would not run together this year, on account of sponsorship coordination issues. Instead, the duo of Ian and Nora of NZ would run with Team Adventure Camp, while Paul Romero and Karen Lundgren - on a last minute offer - formed part of the Oskalunga International consisting of Mikael Lindnord of Sweden and the famous fast man, Lico, from Brasilia, the founder of Team Oskalunga (a name refering to the mysterious tribe of slave refugees deep in the heart of Brazil).
A small handful of internationals would join the line up from the likes of Russia, Argentina, Spain, Chile and Uruguay.
Minas Gerais is a state north or Rio de Janiero, and it's known for hardened people, rough savannah terrain. It was diamonds and gold that drew the settlers to this unfriendly terrain, away from the beautiful beaches and lush jungles that we imagine of Brazil. Diamantina is the race headquarters and an amazing strange sight in the middle of nowhere. Built on a steep mountainside, it's streets and buildings are of old world Portuguese style, and cobblestone streets from centuries past demanding only the best footing just to get around town.
The vibe is bursting at the seams with college students, live music and dancing everywhere, and that hypnotic trance that comes with capoiera (the local fighting dance). It reeks of Ecomotion.
<b>About the race:</b>
Imagine a region that was 100% mountains, and the road builders knew only to build roads straight up. Climate - bone dry with oppressive heat. Rivers run steep and fast. Toss in 50 trucks and a few hundred adventure racers. You have Ecomotion 2009.
The race would be 85% leg, and most notably 6 bike sections that consist of non stop giant climbs, requiring only the best climbing abilities followed by an equal number of technical, single track downhills, that have never seen bikes before. River paddling through some treacherous white water AT NIGHT, something only found at Ecomotion.
Per standard protocol in this day and age, the field blasts out as if from a canon. The field of top teams in Brazil have stepped things up. Selva, Competition, Lontra, Cosa Nostra, Adventure Camp, Oskalunga International and a few others run like the hair is on fire. The race would be, well fought in the front by the aforementioned teams and Lontra leading most of the race.
14 race sections would test the support teams to the maximum with treacharous roads and dust. The heat and scorching sun had every set of lips blistered, and any exposed skin bright red. A looming and controversial dark zone toward the end of the race would be big decision maker as the lead team missed it by only 11 minutes. All the top teams would gather again for a restart on the last morning of the race. Race times would be frozen, so while it looked like a restart, Lontra would ride it's way into Diamantina with a lead not to be touched by Adventure Camp (2nd place), Oskalunga International (3rd place) nor the others.
Lontra earning itself a race entry fee into the World Championships taking place in Spain in October '10, and an entry to the Explore Sweden MONSTER of '10.
Ecomotion is a qualifier for the Adventure Racing World Championships.
<a href="#" onClick="javascript:newsitewindow('http://www.ecomotion.com.br')" class="main">www.ecomotion.com.br</a>
Team SOLE is now in transit back to states.
<i>Paul's 13 year old son Jordan was part of the team's support crew at Ecomotion this year. Paul is rushing back to the US for a fundraiser for Jordan's quest to be the youngest person to ever climb the 7 Summits. Jordan has already completed 6 of the peaks - he is actually planning to do all 8 (yes, 8 of the 7 Summits, just to make sure there is no controversy over whether he did the right ones or not).
For more info or to support Jordan on his quest:
<a href="#" onClick="javascript:newsitewindow('http://www.jordanromero.com')" class="main">www.jordanromero.com</a></i>
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