ABOUT THE TEAM
SPECIALIZED RACING BR
Specialized Racing BR emerged in 2015 with the aim of promoting professional cycling in Brazil and encouraging young athletes to transform their lives through the passion for cycling. Performance and competition are in our DNA, but the sense of community and the spirit of overcoming challenges is what moves and inspires us every day.
In early 2020, Specialized invested in a pioneering project: the creation of the first E-Bike team in Brazil. And what was once simply a bet has become a reality in Brazil and around the world. In 2021, our biggest commitment is to support these athletes’ development and make their projects and dreams come true.
Alex Malacarne
City: Born in Serranópolis do Iguaçu and resident in Medianeira (PR)
Age:19 years old
Instagram: @alex_malacarne
In the 2021 season, Alex Malacarne, XCO Junior Brazilian Champion in 2019 and 5th in the world junior ranking in 2020, will have a "double career" - every professional cyclist's dream. At just 19 years old, Alex will continue to compete in the main races in Brazil with the Racing BR team and will join Trinity Racing - a professional cycling team from the UK, which is a true school for many talented young athletes around the world.
"I won my first XCO and Time Trial Brazilian Championship in 2018, participated in the reality show The Next Pro and won the spot in Racing BR Team. It was when my dream started to come true. I signed my first professional deal on the company that I most dreamed to represent."
Alex Malacarne
"I won my first XCO and Time Trial Brazilian Championship in 2018, participated in the reality show The Next Pro and won the spot in Racing BR Team. It was when my dream started to come true. I signed my first professional deal on the company that I most dreamed to represent."
Alex Malacarne
Gustavo Xavier
City: Born in Ibiúna (SP) and resident in Piedade (SP)
Age: 19 years old
Instagram: @gustavo_xavier___
The current Brazilian Under-23 Champion, Gustavo Xavier won the title in his debut in the category and promises great results this year. The main goal of this 19-year-old athlete is to defend his Brazilian Champion title and achieve good results at the World Championship in Italy.
Letícia Cândido
City: Ouro Branco (MG)
Age: 30 years old
Instagram: @leticiacandido_mtb
Letícia Cândido has already been Brazilian champion three times and is very excited for the coming season, after a year of few races but great results, such as her victory in Desafio Gigantes, in Brazil Ride Botucatu and second place finish in the Brazilian Mountain Bike Championship.
Isabella Ribeiro
City: Belo Horizonte (MG)
Age: 41 years old
Instagram: @bellaribeiro80
Isabella Ribeiro is in her sixth year with Specialized and adds experience in several cycling categories. In 2021, she is focusing 100% on E-Bike national competitions, such as the Brazilian Championship, Brazil Ride and the International Mountain Bike Cup.
Erick Bruske
City: born in Indaial (SC) and resident in Belo Horizonte (MG)
Age: 24 years old
Instagram: @bruske01
At the age of 24, Erick Bruske is the longest-serving athlete. Going into his eighth season with Specialized and with five national titles under his belt, his aim for this year is the highest spot on the podium in the main E-Bike races in Brazil besides, of course, the World Championship.
André Bretas
City: Governador Valadares (MG)
Age: 33 years old
Instagram: @bretas
And last but not least, resuming RacingBR, the two-time champion of the Brazil Enduro Series, André Breta is the new arrival for the season. Focusing on E-Bike and Enduro races, Bretas will support other teammates in technique and line picking for this year’s main races.
"I’ve started to compete in Downhill and then I changed to Enduro. Now I carry all this background as a powerful tool to enhance all the team."
André Bretas
"I’ve started to compete in Downhill and then I changed to Enduro. Now I carry all this background as a powerful tool to enhance all the team."
André Bretas
Henrique Furtado, as the MTB and E-MTB Team Manager, is responsible for strategic team management and for setting the calendar of national and international competitions. Along with him, Giuliano Tonioli provides logistical and mechanical support to the athletes.
"In 2021 I hope for less turbulent times and many opportunities for our stars to shine. I am in charge of integrating our 3 E-Bike athletes into the team. We see this modality as a great trend in the future, as it is both an innovative experience and a revolutionary training and performance tool. With great expectations, we plan on making Racing BR one of the biggest competitions in the world."
Henrique Furtado
Henrique Furtado, as the MTB and E-MTB Team Manager, is responsible for strategic team management and for setting the calendar of national and international competitions. Along with him, Giuliano Tonioli provides logistical and mechanical support to the athletes.
"In 2021 I hope for less turbulent times and many opportunities for our stars to shine. I am in charge of integrating our 3 E-Bike athletes into the team. We see this modality as a great trend in the future, as it is both an innovative experience and a revolutionary training and performance tool. With great expectations, we plan on making Racing BR one of the biggest competitions in the world."
Henrique Furtado
MTB and E-MTB Team
2021 CALENDAR*
April: Estrada Real International
May: Brasil XCO Ride Bowl
June: Brasil Ride Festival
July: CIMTB Araxá and Brasil Bowl – Brasil Ride Amparo
August: Brasil Ride Espinhaço and World Mountain Bike Championship (Italy)
September: Estrada Real International and CIMTB Petrópolis
October: Brazil Championship XCO and XCO
November: Brasil Ride Bahia
*subject to changes
MTB and E-MTB Team
2021 CALENDAR*
April: Estrada Real International
May: Brasil XCO Ride Bowl
June: Brasil Ride Festival
July: CIMTB Araxá and Brasil Bowl – Brasil Ride Amparo
August: Brasil Ride Espinhaço and World Mountain Bike Championship (Italy)
September: Estrada Real International and CIMTB Petrópolis
October: Brazil Championship XCO and XCO
November: Brasil Ride Bahia
*subject to changes