Race Report - Ecuador DeVinci Enduro Series 2018 - Round 4, Quito

In 2018, the Ecuador DeVinci Enduro Series has visited some of the best trails in the country, challenging the racers with varied terrain and conditions, from sand to hero dirt. Now, for the first time, it visits the slopes of the Pichincha volcano. Just next to Quito, this is one of the best places in the country for gravity mountain biking thanks to a gondola that reaches the summit of Cruz Loma at almost 4.000 meters above sea level. A large dose of descending and minimal climbing was the recipe for this last round. The race course featured the most popular trails on the mountain while adding some revamped sections that haven't been used for years.

After a long season, the best enduro racers in the country gathered for the final test. With a good lead in the overall, Martin Jijon was ready to claim the top spot one more time. In the women's field, Gabriela Acosta just needed to finish the race in order to take her first title.

Climbing above the city to start the day.

Keep the elbows in!

The fast stage one made for some tight racing.

Sebastian Ponce on his way to win the masters class.

From 3,100 to 4,000 meters in a few minutes...

...just enough to recover for the next stage.

The rain season is coming to Quito.

Riding at 4,000 meters can be hard but the views are great.

Some nice singletrack on top of stage 2.

Race organizer, Andres Sotomayor, enjoys the riding while keeping an eye on the racers.

Stage two was 13 minutes long and had a couple of stream crossings and climbs.

Daniela Costa on the last section of stage two.

Steep and tight switchbacks on one of the revamped sections.

It's good to have big mountains this close to the city.

Stage three added 800 meters of technical descend.

Lots of turns to navigate the steep face of the mountain.

Small patches of forest...

...open to great views.

Big turns over the city.

Another gondola ride led to stage 4 and more hero dirt.

No wonder this is one of the best trails in the country.

Keeping the flow on the turns was the key to conserve energy on the long stages.

Some forgotten trails were brought back to life to spice things up on stage 4.

It's a jungle out there.

Womens winner, Diana Marggraff, on the last section of stage 4.

Martin Jijon led the race all day to secure another title.

RESULTS

Men
1. Martin Jijon
2. Miguel Cherrez
3. Esteban Carrion

Women
1. Diana Marggraff
2. Daniela Costa
3. Gabriela Acosta

Men Overall
1. Martin Jijon
2. Miguel Cherrez
3. Esteban Carrion

Women Overall
1. Gabriela Acosta
2. Diana Marggraff
3. Daniela Costa

Full results and more info at Enduro Devinci Ecuador.

Posted In:
Racing and Events Devinci

Author Info:

ajaneta
Member since Aug 31, 2015
16 articles