• Submitted by: Juana
• Local
• international
• Sports
• 12 / 05 / 2016

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The second edition of the Cuban Titan Tropic, a mountain bike competition, will start today and will include four stages through rugged territories between the provinces of Artemisa and Pinar del Rio.
A total of 150 athletes from more than ten countries will face the challenge of the mountains, mud, rivers and the sand of the sea in Jutías Key, finish line in Pinar del Rio.
The United States, Germany, Austria, Spain, Mexico, Venezuela and Costa Rica are among the nations confirmed by the organizers.
Colombian Diego Tamayo, champion of the previous version held on the same geography of Cuba´s western part, is one of the most important attendees to this contest.
His major opponent will be the Spaniard Josep Betalú, a Catalan who won the event in the Moroccan desert this year.
But others also dream of the victory, including Jose Mojica and Olga Echenique, who lead the host squad which also includes Alvaro Soca, Yasmani Balmaseda and debutants Marlies Mejías, Jairo Lopez and Yoandri Freire.
Olga won the women´s event in 2015, award that earned her an invitation to the Titan Desert and other competitions, and Mojica, the best Cuban road cycling runner, was fifth, but now he comes with better preparation and experience as he attended several international races and tours.
The other favorites in the women´s event are US Selene Yeager and Spanish Miteia Barberá, the latter was Olga´s toughest rival in the previous edition, while the American already won this year the Brazil Ride and the Iron Cross competitions.