Biggest mountain bike competition from Latin America will take place on the days 13th and 14th of September, with starts and arrivals on Gomes Freire Square, in the Historical Center.
The mountainous and historical scenery of Mariana will be, once again, the athletes meeting spot from the Country five regions on the 32nd Iron Biker Brasil edition. Schedule for September 13th and 14th, the biggest mountain bike competition from Latin America promises to shake Mariana, uniting cyclists from different States, ages and backgrounds with a single goal: overcoming limits throughout the exuberant nature and technical challenges from the region tracks, celebrating the sport, the resistance and the spirit of competitiveness that the event inspires.
The participants’ plurality is one of the Iron Biker Brasil trademarks. From beginners to veterans, from amateurs to professionals, men and women from all the regions of the Country participate in the competition moved by the challenge, by the love for the sport and by the opportunity to exchange experiences with other pedal lovers. This sensation is described by Cláudio Voltareli, 43 years old, who will come from Ibitinga (SP) to compete for the sixth time. “I have participated in all editions since 2019, and each one has surprised me with new experiences, new challenges and limits that are overcome. But the friendships we built during the competition are what compel me the most. It is a complete competition. I am Looking forward to September”, he affirmed.
Iron Biker Brasil has turned Mariana into a place capable of gathering the mountain bike lovers from north to south of the Country. Each edition, the city turns into the stage of reunions, connections and new stories, in an environment that breathes sport and reception. Besides the track’s emotion, the event boost tourism, broadens the visibility of Mariana in the national setting and strengthens the local economy. Lucas Fonda, one of the organizers, summaries well this energy that invades the city. “Iron Biker Brasil unite athletes and community. To Mariana, it is an opportunity to show the town sportive potential and welcome visitors from all over Brazil. The competition strengthens tourism, moves the economy and consolidate the city as a reference at mountain cycling”, Fonda highlights.
Iron Biker Brasil dimension goes beyond sport. Mariana prepares intensely for the two days of competition. The town’s mayor, Juliano Duarte, comments about the challenge to prepare the city until the contest day. “We have been working with planning and dedication to receive the athletes and visitors with security, infrastructure e hospitality. Mariana is proud to be home to the biggest mountain bike event in Latin America, and we will do all to make this edition even more special’, he affirmed.
The town’s manager also reaffirms the importance of the event in the construction of a positive image to the host city, Mariana. “Iron Biker Brasil is part of Mariana sportive and cultural identity. It is a contest that moves the local economy, strengthens tourism and, above all, puts our city in the center of attentions of national and international cycling”.
Iron Biker Brasil official schedule starts on Thursday (11), with the kit’s delivery to the athletes, from 4 o’clock pm to 11 o’clock pm. On Friday (12), the delivery continues from 10 am to 10 pm and, at 7pm, the event makes the mood even more welcoming with social activities. The challenge in the mountains happens on Saturday (13) and Sunday (14). On the first day, the athletes of the complete track take off at 7h30, while the ones of reduced track take off at 8h20. On Sunday, the starts occur at 7h and at 7h50. Gomes Freire Square (Jardim), in the heart of Mariana, will be the start and arrival point of the athletes.
Hot Economy Throughout the Contest
Iron Biker Brasil is one of the most waited events of the year. That is a unanimous sentence When you talk to the sellers of Mariana. Whether is in the hotel sector, whether in commerce, bars or restaurants, all local society is positively impacted with the realization of the biggest mountain bike competition in Latin America. Who reinforces this idea is Wanderley Muller, one of the partners of Hotel Muller. “Mariana, today, is the national capital of the modality. That is something very good, very beautiful, very big. It is an intelligent event and one of the few touristic attractions that leave money within the town. The cyclist who comes has to Join the city, must live the place. We always expect Iron Biker Brasil with much anxiety”, he concluded.
On the same line, Mariana’s resident, Thiago Morais, affirms that he gets satisfied in seeing the city busy during the days of contest. “It is a nice competition and that makes Mariana very busy. Generate an increase in the hotel’s occupations and Bed & Breakfasts, increase the movement in bars, the stores, increase the selling of typical foods and local products. The city gets packed. And every year we count on this attraction. Besides, of course, reinforce the beautiful image of our town to the world. Mariana is beautiful, great, and Iron Biker Brasil helps us to strengthen our best”.
Mountain bike home
More than a contest, Iron Biker Brasil has become to integrate the sportive identity of the host city, Mariana. This competition reflects values like challenge, overcoming and contact with the nature — aspects which ally with the history and the lifestyle of the local population. Mariana Community has started to recognize and be recognized through the contest. It is more than a competition — it is a mirror of the city. This feeling of belonging between Mariana and Iron Biker Brasil is lived and described by Ana Clara Martins: “Iron Biker always had a special place in my life. I competed for the first time When I was 12, and today at the age of 16, I look back and see how it has been present through all my bike path. I grew up with Iron, cheering for my father [Patrick] When I was 9, until my first participation in the contest” she concluded.
Following, the Young Woman who will participate for the fifth time highlighted the proud of being part of Iron Biker Brasil history. “Here in Mariana, we live cycling with much passion. The local athletes wait for Iron the Whole year, train harder knowing this contest is coming. It is not just competition; it has turned into a big sport party which moves the city and inspires a lot of people” she finished saying.
In unstoppable ten years of Iron Biker Brasil in the Primate of Minas, the local cyclist sector also won commercial strength, as is highlighted by the salesman Wanderson Aparecido da Silva, 42 years old. “It is an event like Christmas to the business. We sell bikes, do mechanical repairs. The demand increases a lot, in favor of the business.”
OFFICIAL SCHEDULE
September 11th (Thursday)
From 4pm to 8pm – Delivery of kits to the athletes.
September 12th (Friday)
From 10am to 10pm – Delivery of kits to the athletes.
7pm – Social schedule.
September 13th (Saturday)
7h30 – Simultaneous start of total track modalities (A).
8h20 – Simultaneous start of reduced track modalities (B).
September 14th (Sunday)
7h – Simultaneous start of total track modalities (A).
7h50 – Simultaneous start of reduced track modalities (B).
3pm – Award.
Photo credit: Samuel Constantino
