Brasil Ride mountain bike ultramarathon moves to Paraíba

The Brasil Ride, the largest mountain bike ultramarathon in the Americas, is moving to Paraíba for the first time after 16 years in Bahia. The event is scheduled to take place from October 11 to 18, 2026.

Approximately 1,500 athletes from 24 countries are expected to participate in the seven-day competition. The route will traverse ten cities, spanning from the coast to the Brejo region, covering a total distance of 130 km with 1,100 meters of accumulated elevation. Notable participants include Portuguese rider Tiago Ferreira, Olympic bronze medalist David Valero, and Brazilian athlete Samuel Luz Stumpf, who aims to become the first blind athlete to complete the ultramarathon while piloting his own bicycle with the help of guides and a service dog.

Organizer Mario Roma noted that the move to Paraíba was driven by the region's diverse landscape, which offers trails and climates distinct from the typical coastal imagery of the Northeast. The event is expected to promote local tourism and economic activity through its combination of high-performance sport and ecotourism.