Ketchum's Rebecca Rusch and Greg Martin, riding for Team Specialized/Red Bull, placed third overall in the tough Open Mixed class during the Vuelta al Cotopaxi mountain bike race staged over two days Nov. 29-30 in the South American country of Ecuador.
World champions Rusch and Martin finished 12 minutes and 16 seconds off the winning pace of Ecuador's Martin Saenz and Alexandra Serrano on the journey by roads and trails around Cotopaxi—an active volcano in the western part of the Ecuadorian Andes.
Martin (4.40:09) clocked the fastest split time by 35 seconds in his stage, and Rusch (3:54.20) had the fourth-fastest time in her stage, adding up to the 8.34:29 finish in the 32-team Open Mixed class. Total distance was 127.8 kilometers.
Here are some of Rusch's notes reported via e-mail prior to last weekend's race:
She wrote, "The race is an annual event that this year has 150 two-person teams taking part. It's a tough race covering 85 miles at a height of over 3,000 meters above sea level (9,500 feet) over two days, with an overnight camp on the way.
"I have found out it's the biggest mountain bike race in Ecuador. Entries filled up in 12 hours this year and they have a waiting list of 200 people. It's only the fourth year for the event and it has grown to become really popular.
"I am staying with the race director and Specialized distributor and he has personally been giving Greg and me the first-class tour of the riding around Quito for the last two days (after her arrival Nov. 26). It is a city of two million people, but you can still ride awesome single track within minutes.
"I will be racing with my boyfriend and 24-hour solo single speed world champion, Greg Martin. We have found out that the mixed division in the Vuelta is the most competitive division in the race. Since it's nearly ski season at home and our riding has been limited lately, Greg and I will have our work cut out for us.
The altitude is also a significant factor here. The lowest point of the race is 10,000 feet and we'll go as high as 14,000 feet. We are prepared for any sort of weather, strong competition and majestic views."
Greg Martin and Rebecca Rusch on the podium in Ecuador last week.
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