Cycling along the pristine beaches of Cayo Jutías, to the north of Pinar del Río, signaled the end of the first edition of Titan Tropic Cuba, a mountain biking competition organized by Spanish company RPM Events, which was overjoyed with the success and impact of the race both in Cuba and aboard.
The region’s remarkable and stunning landscape, together with the prestige of many of the participants, attracted global attention to the competition, which will return in 2015 along the same route through Las Terrazas, Soroa and Viñales, protected areas due to their high level of biodiversity.
Speaking to Granma International, Juan Porcar, managing director of RPM and creator of Titan Tropic, alongside Félix Dort, highlighted the appeal of the race and thanked all those involved in the organization and execution of the event, which saw participants traverse difficult and hard-to-reach areas on several occasions.
The overall winner of the event was Diego Tamayo, from Colombia, who dominated from start to finish, triumphing in the first two stages and taking podium spots in the remaining three. Tamayo had a safe ride demonstrating his strong technique across difficult, muddy stretches and endless slopes.
Spain’s Roberto Bou also stood out as an exceptional first-timer, placing third overall and acting as the perfect companion for Tamayo, controlling every break and helping to limit the Colombian’s fatigue, who was able to drift in the pack without allowing any of his key rivals to get away.
Second place went to Ibón Zugasti, originally from Spain’s Basque country but currently residing in Barcelona, who at 43 years old had a strong ride and showed masterful expertise across the difficult roads of Cuba’s western region, muddied in almost all areas given intense rainfall at the outset of the competition.
Zugasti, was also crowned champion of the Senior category (40-49 years old), while another Spaniard, 50 year old Francisco Javier Salamero, won the Master division (50-59), demonstrating expert cycling, always up there with the professionals.
Cuba saw all of its four representatives in the men’s race place in the top 20, while Olga Echenique from Matanzas won the female division, beating Portugal’s Filomena Gomes and Mireia Barbera of Spain.
