Haute Route Brazil moves to October for late Season Fall Challenge
Expect a warm 75F as you discover real Brazilian riding through rain forests up into the incredible highlands and down along scenic shore roads to the Atlantic Ocean
With foreign travel allowed by air for short stays of up to 90 days with your passport and no visa required, Haute Route Brazil this October might be an ideal option for you.
The event takes place October 22nd - 24th, 2021, in Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil and offers arguably the best long weekend of “socially distanced” cycling ever! There’s good amount of time to dedicate to training, to be prepared for the 140 mile (222km) course with 18,045 feet (5,500m) of climbing or the easier 181km compact course with 3,450m of climbing too.
The first two stages are hosted in Urubici, a town 100 miles inland from the final stage on the Island of Santa Catarina. Urubici is known for its natural beauty and incredible hills that are made for cycling! So much so, the first stage is the Queen Stage and opens up with a steady 12 mile climb up to the Serra de Urubici at over 1,561m above sea level.
Serra do Rio do Rastro, the final stretch of the opening Queen Stage is on the wish list of cyclists from all over the world!
Considered the most iconic climb in Brazil, with its 284 curves, it has been voted the fifth most beautiful road in the world. Many cyclists compare its characteristics with Passo dello Stelvio in Italy. But only the Serra do Rio do Rastro offers cyclists the experience of cycling between the Atlantic Forest, waterfalls, and even coatis. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see the Atlantic Ocean more than 30 miles away. Both descent and ascent of Serra do Rio do Rastro will be closed to traffic. The descent will be no-timed for safety reasons.
The climbing continues on stage 2, the course starts with a gentle climb with alpine-style bends crossing vineyards in the Serra do Panelão valley which will help riders to warm up. After a first climb, the riders will come back to the city centre and the Event Village before a flat section through apple plantations and rocky peaks. Perfect to recover before the final 16-km climb with steep ramps including the feared km three - a 500m segment with 20% average - to reach the finish line at the summit of Morro da Igreja, the highest inhabited site in the south of Brazil at 1,818m above sea level, the summit is a National Security Area with the Brazilian Air Force radar station used to control of air traffic.
The third and final stage is the individual time trial, the event village is located right on the beachfront in Florianópolis on the Island of Santa Catarina which is just 15 minutes from the airport which is served by several regular flights from two of Brazil’s major international airports: São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) and Rio de Janeiro Galeão (GIG).
If you have climbed well for the past couple of days, this could be your time to shine and focus on the overall general classification with a fast effort over the 15km course.
It will be hard not take your eyes off in the incredible sites from the Hercílio Luz Bridge, riders start from the middle of the bridge heading towards Beira Mar Avenue, which will be closed to traffic. You’ll need to keep something in the tank for the final climb up the 2.5km long Morro da Cruz and its steep ramps to the finish line.
The iconic climbs, the quiet roads, the weather and the challenging course, might just tip the scales in favour of this unforgettable long weekend of cycling, backed up with Haute Route’s world class support.
New Cancellation and COVID Policy
Haute Route have adapted their cancellation policies to reassure people when it comes to registering in advance. You can get extra cover with optional insurance for peace of mind.
You don’t need insurance to cancel. You can also transfer your registration if you are unable to attend.
If Haute Route has to cancel the event, all registered riders will be given the opportunity to transfer their entry to another event in 2021 or 2022.
Haute Route has a full Sanitary Protocol to help minimize the risk of infection of COVID too.
Post Stage you’ll get the Pro Treatment
Meals - Once you cross the finish line, join the socially distanced riders' lunch to recover some energy
Massage - masseurs are waiting for you at the end of every stage, ready to help you recover with a 20-minute massage
Event Classification - Global and group classification is announced every day at the race briefing
Medals & Finisher Apparel - Once the finish line is crossed on the last day, you'll receive your finisher medal and apparel
Closing Ceremony & Awards - Before heading home, enjoy your last moments with the other riders, staff and volunteers at the COVID safe closing ceremony.
Haute Route offers a COVID safe, unrivalled level of service, all included in your registration:
Mechanical Assistance - In the village, as well as during the race, a team of bike mechanics are on site to take care of your pride and joy and make sure it's running at its best
Race Briefings - A specific race briefing is held the day before every stage
Race Cars & Escort - From the head of race to the broom wagon, your safety is insured by race cars and motorbikes
Safety & Medical Assistance - A professional team of medics is available before, during and after the race
Feed stations - Local nutritious food and supplements are waiting for you at multiple COVID safe feed stations on every stage.
Riders receive a Rider’s Pack which includes:
Event Jersey - Unique Haute Route jersey for each event
Backpack - Kitbrix backpack included in your entry
Logistical Support - Backpack transportation to finish lines
Village Services - With our specially selected partners, tour operators and official boutique on show, the COVID safe Haute Route Village will be buzzing through the entire event
Media Support - Our media crew is on the ground to broadcast and create highlights footage of each stage. The video is released each evening during the rider briefing. Partner, Photorunning, is also there to capture the best moments and make the Haute Route experience truly unforgettable.
For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.hauteroute.org/events/overview/brazil-2021-en
