From the Highlands to the Amazon

Rob Howard / 09.11.2014

From the Highlands to the Amazon

After passing the high pass below Antisana teams descended along La Ruta Condor towards CP1, a descent which had a sting in the tail when they had to cross a large lava field where the boulders were overgrown with vegetation. From CP1 they descended into the broad valley of the Rio Tambo to the first transition at Jamanco, a hot springs resort set in a lush green valley.

The transition was spacious and it needed to be as there is fantastic support for the race here in Ecuador, so the car park was full and the trail in and out of the TA was lined with cheering and enthusiastic spectators. They were cheering on every team but you knew when an Ecuadorian team was coming as the volume level rose significantly.

The top 5 teams were Team France (36), Movistar of Ecuador, adidas Terrex of the UK, Seagate of New Zealand and Haglofs Silva of Sweden. All these teams came running in within 3 minutes of each other, so there was really nothing between them.  Race followers might not recognise the name Movistar, but they are the top Ecuadorian team, formerly Ecuador Explorer, who have won this race before and have now gained a lot of international experience. For this race the 3 men in the team are joined by Jari Kirkland of the USA, who was with adidas Terrex at the last World Champs finishing joint 3^rd.  The team’s new sponsor is a mobile network here in Ecuador.

Behind this lead pack came Tecnu of the USA and Columbia Vidaraid of Spain, Raidlight of France, Explorer Colombia Bosi and R’adys of Switzerland so there is a broad international mix in the top 10.

The transition was impressive with large numbers of staff and support personnel, and with such big crowds it must have given the teams, who were coming through at regular intervals, a real lift. Some of the racers look very strained and weary and needed the encouragement – it seemed like the first trek and the altitude had really taken a toll.

At least for the next stage they have a long and steady downhill mountain bike ride, to help them recover and to take them down to heights where there is more oxygen available.  They descend 1800m so will feel the difference and notice the change in the eco-systems and climate on this one 67km stage.  

They will finish at El Chaco which is in the Amazon region, so will have ridden from the Andes to the Amazon by the end of the stage.

You can follow the race live at http://live.huairasinchi.com/

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