Alex Grant recently traveled to Chile to race the Copa Quaker Cannondale, in Nevados de Chillan, Chile, which has become one of the most important mountain bike races in South America, with over 1,000 competitors racing in both cross-country and downhill.
Alex competed in the Elite Cross-Country, a 5 lap race on a technical, 3.5 mile track that included everything from loose rutted descents to rocky, volcanic climbs. Alex rode in Kore C50 for the event, since a good portion of the race was in a dark forest and low clouds hung over the course at the start.
At the mid-point of the race Alex was riding with the 3rd place finisher and feeling confident about a podium placing. Unfortunately on the third lap disaster struck and he cut his rear tire on a sharp volcanic rock. After repairing it with a tube and chasing back to seventh place, he flatted again on the last lap and had to run a couple of kilometers to the finish. Sometimes luck is just not on your side, but Alex enjoyed the racing and the trip nonetheless.