Classification

1. Jerome Clementz 8.24    5.36    7.35    21.35

2. Nico Prudencio    8.28    5.47    7.44    21.59

3. Pedro Ferreira      8.30    5.45    7.48    22.03

7. Adam Brayton      8.45    6.09    7.56    22.50

Women

1. Anka Martin          10.13  7.21    9.48    27.22

With six countries in the top ten the Andes Pacifico had put Chile well and truly on the map and in the minds of riders worldwide. It was a tough event, not for novices, the terrain was complex to understand, the heat relentless. As an adventure it delivered priceless moments, spectacular views. As a race it offered drama, pain and tests of huge diversity. To win this you are no ordinary rider.

At World Cup downhill level Brayton has been around three seconds per minute off the leaders pace, the same proved true here in Chile once he had settled in, even on the shorter downhill stages. He was probably under biked, a 150mm plus bike would have placed him higher, so what he did was pretty tidy. The learning curve was a steep one and was lavished with the scars that most riders had from the volcanic terrain. Quietly, very quietly I think Brayton marvelled at the skill of Jerome Clementz on tracks that were quite the opposite to what we expected. This was heads–up riding amongst angular rock, cactus, extreme heat and high speed. He toughed it out, but then he always was going to.

Of the travelling racers what was striking was the camaraderie and the general upbeat mood of everyone given the tough situations that they were being placed into. But I guess the food was great and the corners of sheer beauty. Eduardo, Matias and Nacho presented Chile brilliantly – our hosts were simply flawless.

1. Jerome Clementz 2hrs 15min 22 sec

2. Nico Prudencio    2.19.21

3. Francois Bailly Maitre     2.19.27

12.       Adam Brayton           2.34.43

1. Anka Martin          2.55.50

2. Pauline Dieffenthaler     3.02.15

3. Julia Hobson        3.13.27