A rider crosses a bridge during stage three.(Image credit: Netzer Quan)
A bridge encountered on stage three.(Image credit: Netzer Quan)
Coming up next weekend, from October 9 to 11, the El Reto del Quetzal stage race will feature more singletrack than in previous years. The mountain bike stage race is run over three days in Guatemala.
As in previous years, stage one will be the longest at about 90km. About 25 percent will be singletrack with a historic flavor, including a portion new the event. Some of the trails have been used for over 400 years ago by Mayans for communication, commerce and water transport between villages.
Stage two will cover 66km and be shorter than last year with some swapping of paved sections for more gravel roads and singletrack.
The final 63km stage three remains unchanged from last year with plenty of downhills and views of the Guatamalan countryside.
Racers from Portugal, Italy, Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Mexico, Canada, United States, Spain, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala are registered.
Sue George is an editor at Cyclingnews. She coordinates all of the site's mountain bike race coverage and assists with the road, 'cross and track coverage.
