CARPATHIAN MTB EPIC
Top Riders Prepare for the Carpathian MTB Epic
Press Release / 17.05.2018
The second edition of the Carpathian MTB Epic, a multi-stage mountain bike competition, accredited by UCI, is announced to be extremely tight, with top competition! Big names from the world cycling stage have already announced their presence at the Start line.
On August 16, 2018, the next famous cyclists will compete in 4-day EPIC race: Ariane Lüthi, who has won the podium of some of the world's toughest international mountain bike competitions, such as Absa Cape Epic, where she has been 5 times champion; Frans Claes, number 1 in the UCI World Series Marathon; but also Olympic athlete Vitor Gamito, winner of the MTB Tour of Portugal.
The MPG Romania team is delighted and proud to welcome Ariane Lüthi and Frans Claes, two sport superstars, as Event Ambassadors at Carpathian MTB Epic 2018. At the same time, we are honored to welcome Vitor Gamito, GoldNutrition Ambassador, to the 2nd edition of the mountain competition in the Southern Carpathians.
Born in Switzerland, Ariane Lüthi, 34 years old, is revered among her competitors for her fierce and fearless marathon racing ability. She is a multiple winner of the most grueling mountain bike stage races in the world, including the Absa Cape Epic, the Cape Pioneer Trek and the Swiss Epic!
With a sport background as a national level swimmer and swimming coach, Ariane poured herself into her new-found passion for bikes in 2009, when she attended her first MTB race at Roc d’ Azur. Shortly, she made a notable appearance and in 2011 she decided to move to South Africa and compete as a professional MTB-er. Now, Ariane is holding many impressive titles: 5 times Absa Cape Epic category winner - Mixed in 2012 and 2013 and 3 times Women Elite winner during 2014-2016; 2 times Swiss XCM champion in 2013 and 2016; recently she gained a bronze medal at European XCM Championships 2018.
"I like to collect memories, not things! The personal motive to enter this race was the opportunity to explore a country I have never been to. I cannot wait for this adventure... discovering the magical Carpathian Mountains, which look absolutely stunning on the pictures I’ve seen, in real life! I just hope Dracula won’t come visit me at night...“, stated Ariane Lüthi, with a large smile.
Overall winner World Series Marathon 2017! An incredible performance and a highly desired title that are owned by the Belgian cyclist Frans Claes. From his teenage years, Frans is a truly addicted MTB-er being determined to take his bike all over the globe and participate in all kinds of bike events. And he fully succeeded! The 34 years old cyclist holds the number 1 place in World Series Marathon Ranking, being also a National XCM champion in his home country Belgium.
"Winning stage races like Trans-Wales (2008), Trans-Portugal (2009) and the Trans-Maurienne (2012) gave me the motivation and the confidence to put more energy into my sport. I really look forward to compete in the Carpathian MTB Epic and explore the beauty of the region! When people told me about the route and the race I got curious about what it could be like to ride in the Romanian mountains. Then, I watched the trailer of the race and was immediately convinced to add this Epic ride to my calendar!”, said Frans Claes.
What drives him, you might be wondering? 'Nature keeps me going!', added Frans.
Another top rider attending the multi-stage competition from Carpathian Mountains is the Olympic athlete Vitor Gamito, who has a rich sport history and admirable achievements, both in road and MTB races.
Aged 48, the Portuguese Vitor Gamito has won in the last two years the champion titles of Portugal Tour MTB Race UCI, Algarve Bike Challenge and also of Alpen Tour Trophy in the Master category. In 2015 he arrived on the 4th place at Absa Cape Epic, in the Master category. Another noteworthy events happened in 2000 when he won Tour of Portugal – road cycling and he participated at Sydney Olympic Games.
From the perspective of the professional competitor, but also as a coach, Vitor believes that: “Cycling is characterized by a high physical demand and a very high caloric consumption. The physiological capacities of the maximum consumption of oxygen – endurance – and of recovery are key factors for the performance of the athlete”. Vitor Gamito will be present at Carpathian MTB Epic as GoldNutrition Ambassador and is a fearful competitor for the other participants.
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