Challenge head to Amazonia

A challenge in the heart of the largest rainforest in the world. This is what athletes can expect to find at Challenge Amazonia on 20 March 2016. The chosen location is Manaus, capital of Amazonas – the largest and best-preserved Brazilian state.

With two million inhabitants, Manaus is one of the few cities in the world that can combine forest preservation and a high economic development with one of the largest industrial parks in the country, international hotel chains and shopping malls. The historic centre is marked by the beautiful buildings and sumptuous palaces. Among them, the Amazonas Theatre is the ultimate iconic symbol that gave Manaus its fame as the ‘Paris of the Tropics’.

The start of the event couldn’t be in a better place: the beach of Ponta Negra – the most famous postcards of the North part of Brazil. Bathed by the Black River, with calm and warm waters, the location is ideal for the first stage of the race: 1.9km of swimming.

Then athletes follow the two-lap 90km bike leg along the Ponta Negra waterfront. Another unique experience is the biking across the Rio Negro Bridge, the second largest river bridge in the world, at 3,595m long. From there, athletes can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the river. Heading back to Ponta Negra, it’s time to face the 21km race on a flat course.

The inaugural Challenge Amazonia will take place on 20 March 2016 with further information and entries available at www.challenge-amazonia.com

Matt Baird Editor of Cycling Plus magazine

About

Matt is a regular contributor to 220 Triathlon, having joined the magazine in 2008. He’s raced everything from super-sprint to Ironman, duathlons and off-road triathlons, and can regularly be seen on the roads and trails around Bristol. Matt is the author of Triathlon! from Aurum Press and is now the editor of Cycling Plus magazine.