It is the hill route for Brazil and it is very much a question of whether home favourites Bonsucro can nab the national Jersey.
They do have a big challenge though with the likes of Silva (Pendletons), Nardin (Gazelle) and Nazaret (FCB- Barca) all rated strong on the hills and Nascimento (Karcher) seen as the best chrono man in Brazil.
Big man Manerelli attacks early.
Only Alfonso follows the sprinter.
The two build up a massive lead lapping the rest well before the end.
The duo have a bit of a ding dong on the penultimate lap before settling down to riding together towards the final climb.
Alfonso has hill 67 compared to Manerelli hill 59. Of course Manerelli has great acceleration and sprinting so if he can hang on then who knows.
Manerelli doggedly holds Alfonso’s wheel.
That is until the kite.
Alpina get the win.
Nobody else makes it to the finish before the broomwagon sweeps them up.
Result
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Murilo Affonso
Alpina - Avianca
1h52'04
2
Carlos Alexandre Manarelli
Bonsucro
+ 29
Chrono:
Nicacao (TT:75) is the man to fight the good fight for Bonsucro.
His main rival is Nascimento (TT:76) of Karcher-Adira.
There was nothing between them at the first check.
However by check 2 Nascimento has pulled out a second by check 2, which he holds through the third check.
Here comes Nascimento to the finish...
Yes by two seconds he takes the jersey - double disappointment for Bonsucro.
