BikingMan Brazil 2023 – Day 4: The challenges of the Itatiaia ascent and the end of the podium

The fourth day of BikingMan Brazil 2023 marked the completion of the podium, with Juliano Gehrke and Julian Manrique rounding out the top three. Meanwhile, the remaining participants continued battling along the mountainous and tropical roads of Brazil, facing the daunting ascent of Itatiaia National Park, one of the highest points of the race. Fatigue, weather conditions, and technical challenges only intensified the grueling nature of this event, but the spectacular landscapes and the sense of accomplishment kept these cyclists motivated to reach the finish line.

Juliano Gehrke and Julian Manrique complete the podium

At midnight, between Wednesday and Thursday, Juliano Gehrke crossed the finish line at Santo Antônio do Pinhal, welcomed by the applause of a few spectators in the calm night. This finish marked his third consecutive second place at BikingMan Brazil, an impressive achievement that showcases his consistency and perseverance in ultracycling.

“It’s always a special moment to arrive here, but this third second place leaves me with mixed feelings. It’s an accomplishment, but victory still seems to slip through my fingers,” he shared, both satisfied and reflective on his recurring podium finishes.

A few hours later, at dawn, Julian Manrique completed the podium in third place. Manrique, who faced complications in the last kilometers due to a series of challenging sections, fought until the end. Visibly exhausted, he shared:

“The last kilometers felt endless, but I had to keep going. I’m happy to be here, on the podium, after such a ruthless race.”

This podium marked the end of the battle among the top three of this edition, while other competitors continued to fight their way along the course, aiming to finish within the allotted time.

Final challenges for riders still on the course

While the podium concluded, the race continued for cyclists further back, as checkpoint 2, located at kilometer 614, prepared to close. The remaining riders were heading toward the daunting Itatiaia National Park, around kilometer 760. This approximately 20-kilometer ascent on rough roads promised to be a nightmare for many.

Laura, one of the cyclists still in the race, felt the cumulative fatigue and began to worry about the remainder of the route due to severe neck pain.

“I’m really starting to worry. I still have this famous climb ahead, but with my neck on fire, I don’t know if I’ll make it,” she confessed, anxious about not being able to continue.

Andre, another participant, remained determined despite the increasing difficulty:

“This route is brutal; it tests you mentally and physically at every turn. But I’m here for this, to prove to myself that I can overcome it all,” he said, his eyes fixed on the mountain he still had to climb.

The Itatiaia ascent: a titanic challenge

The climb toward Itatiaia National Park is one of the most feared sections of this BikingMan Brazil 2023. With its 20 kilometers of rough, steep roads, it became a true ordeal for the cyclists. With each turn, the incline seemed to steepen, and the poor road conditions only added to the difficulty.

“It’s crazy; you have to experience it to understand how hard it is. Every other climb feels like child’s play in comparison,” explained Paul, a participant reaching the summit.

“You find yourself climbing with sheer grit, no relief, and you question every moment whether you’ll make it.”

The natural park of Itatiaia, perched at 2,450 meters, is an iconic checkpoint for this race. Established in 1937, it is Brazil’s oldest national park, home to unique flora and fauna. With over 250 bird species and breathtaking views around the summit, it’s a reward few cyclists fully appreciate amid the struggle.

The name Itatiaia comes from Tupi, the language of Brazil’s native peoples, meaning “cliff full of peaks,” referencing the rugged formations that dominate the landscape. These cliffs and the park’s altitude add to the grandeur and difficulty of the ascent. For those reaching the summit, it marks the end of the major challenges, allowing them to descend toward Santo Antônio do Pinhal with less than 200 kilometers to go.

“After doing this climb, you feel like you can face any challenge,” shared Marc, another participant who reached the top.

“The whole course is demanding, but here, it’s the ultimate test. Once you’re up there, you realize you can overcome anything.”

Time to celebrate

For those finally reaching the summit of Itatiaia, it’s time to celebrate.

“The view is the cherry on top,” said Laura, despite her pain. “It’s breathtaking, the reward after so much effort.”

After this ascent, participants can finally start descending toward the finish line, a huge relief after so many grueling kilometers.

Humor to cope with the pain

Later, near Santo Antônio de Rio Grande on the afternoon of day four, some cyclists turned to humor to cope with the pain. Jean-Paul, visibly exhausted yet still cheerful, burst out laughing after a minor fall:

“Sometimes, you just have to laugh instead of cry. That’s all we can do at this point!”

His lightheartedness seemed to lift the spirits of others around him, who, despite the fatigue, managed to find joy in this grueling ordeal. However, for others, like Laura, worry continued to grow. She wondered if she would be able to tackle the remaining stages of the course with her persistent neck pain.

“I don’t want to give up, not after everything I’ve accomplished so far,” she said with determination.

The rankings settle, but the race goes on

As the rankings took shape, with the top 10 now complete by the end of day four, 37 participants remained on the course, all facing the final challenges of this BikingMan Brazil 2023. With less than 48 hours before the official end of the race, time became a pressing factor for these cyclists who continued battling fatigue, weather, and tough terrain.

For many, the goal was simply to cross the finish line before time ran out.

“The only thing left is to hold on until the end,” concluded Andre as he pushed forward with determination. “Every kilometer is a victory in itself, but you just have to keep moving.”

Thus, day four of BikingMan Brazil 2023 was marked by moments of achievement, pain, and determination as cyclists neared the end of this exhausting yet rewarding adventure.

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