The interest in participating in the II Challenger Escambray de Mountain Bike 2023, scheduled from January 18 to 23, grows in terms of participants and teams after the call appeared in the Los Manigüeros Facebook group.
35 riders are officially registered, including several medalists in different categories during the first edition held earlier this year. Others have shown interest, including several foreigners.
The current champion, Ludisnelis Fleitas from the capital, leader of the national mountain bike team and qualified for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador 2023 and the Pan American Games in Santiago 2023, will be present.
The same is repeated by the former member of the Cuban squad, Mirley Ferro from Havana, who this time will compete with her mother Niurka Parra. Both are nature lovers and have experience in these events, including the Viñales award.
Others from the Cuban team have already formalized their presence, such as Amed E. Marcos from the capital and Brayan Junior Mandín from Sancti Spiritus, both in the under-23 category and talented figures in this discipline in the country.
Jorge Rojas, who for several years was part of the Cuban road team and finished fifth in the Challenger Escambray 2022, once again serves as head of the organizing committee, which includes representatives from Inder, Islazul, Campismo, Gaviota, the School Transport Company, the National Revolutionary Police and the SIUM, among others.
«This is a competition self-financed by the runners and companions, which includes a total service from arrival to departure. The first 20 registered were benefited with a discount of 18% », he declared.
Likewise, three members and a coach from the national squad were favored, thanks to the support of Inder and the organizers and as a stimulus to the preparation they carry out with a view to future international races.
This classic will have four stages per time and prizes will be awarded to the top 10 general places, the five best women and the three most outstanding of the youth, elite and master A, B and C categories. Everyone who finishes the competition will receive the Finisher prize. In all days the winner of each group will be awarded.
The first sleeve will be on January 19 from the city of Sancti Spíritus to the Planta Cantú campsite (35 km). Previously, a tour of the city will be given from the Serafín Sánchez park.
On the 20th, the second section between Planta Cantú and the La Hormiga campsite (35 km) will touch. On the 21st the queen stage of 65 kilometers will take place from La Hormiga to the climb to Topes de Collantes, behind.
The Challenger 2023 will conclude on January 22 with 30 kilometers from that mountainous massif to Ancón beach, in Trinidad. The last 2,000 meters will be covered by the sands of the attractive setting, where the award ceremony will also take place.
Lisset Isabel Ricardo, taken from www.jit.cu