Brazilian cycling sports is far from a mammoth in OCM history; however it has had its successes over the years. Amadeu Brasil, the rider with the catchy name that personifies Brazilian cycling, placed the samba nation in the minds of managers all over the world, when he claimed first in season 13’s edition of the Germany Tour. It was not only within international cycling sports the prolific climber gained attention, in Brazil he became the icon of niche sport nobody gave any consideration. Football being the no. 1 sports in Brazil and famously for it along with tanned thong-wearing ladies of the beaches of Ipanema or Copacabana. While cycling offers sweaty men wearing spandex, what do you prefer?
  
   However while Amadeu brought about attention, he could not foster activity amongst Brazilian cycling teams, which for long has been plagued by team going out of business due to lack attention and activity. Yet some riders have through the seasons shown that they have the skills and abilities to take top 3 spots on several occasions. The veteran riders of today, riders like Evaristo Gusmao (sivac) and Dirceu Scahisi (JoSS) have podium seats in the Race of the Minutemen, but it is when the race revolves around time trailing that Brazilian riders show their worth. Natanael Buso (sprint4live), Ivan Martinato (NECFTW), Mariano Lira (superduke) and Alan Feital (wheels of steel) all have one thing in common; they have strong skills when they as a "lonesome

cowboy" enters a TT-stage and battles against the clock.
  
   On the flat roads that leads into a mass-sprint it has simply never given much attention amongst young Brazilian “hopefuls”. Douglas Ceccato (Locos) and Eduardo Vasconcelos (Bauer Power) has collectively only one victory on their results sheet at present, while they are considered to be the best within the nation, when it comes to bring their bikes into top speed. They might be intended as teaming up for a better captain, yet it goes to show that sprinting is not where the "samba" is played.
  
   Antônio Eller is worth mentioning; “The King of the Lower Divisions” has taken a massive amount of wins over his tenure at Pro Italia, which today has gone inactive, before the Sprinter moved to “sky team chile” at the age of 33. It is not suspected that Eller will ever do any difference on the final 500 of a sprint in any division, but he is still remembered as a classy rider. Yet Eller is still carrying Caipirinha Cocktails along the route, just for having a "blast" as he follows those new youngsters fighting for a bright future.
  
   Two seasons ago, Brazilian Cycling Federation established the first national team, which gained a seat on the season calendar of the 2rd Division. Initially led by VC Botafogo’s manager the team ended on a position as number 20 on the World Ranking this season (22), before the manager stepped down, only to see the NT being taken over by newcomer manager, Erick from The Moulin Rouges. Erick manages the current number one team in Brazil. Singlehandedly the team has skyrocketed into 3rd Division led by team

captain and cobbler phenomenon, Guilherme Andrino. Andrino has become one of the few Brazilian riders that are expected to bring Brazil back on the cycling map. While a somewhat odd preferred racing environment, Cobblestones, the youngster chewed through the bricks and with little to no assistance gained up to 700 points, hence the position of The Moulin Rouges.
  
   Erick has already claimed that he will continue to develop the national team and as it has been seen before, the Seleção is expected to be amongst the frontrunners on the TT-stages and Cobblestone races of the season. While no one would be surprised to see a Brazilian taking a climbing race.
  
   Back in Brazil, Amadeu Brasil recently opened a climber training school on the Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro. The mountain is visited by national teams each season, when it is part of the Clash of Nations edition in Rio de Janeiro. The old superstar has dedicated his life to provide a platform for young Brazilian riders to develop the skills on the steep climbs and tough slopes. One of those youngsters is Oekiewakkie’s young touring prodigy, Felipe Maximiliano. He is amongst those to reclaim the respect that so many years ago were conquered by Amadeu. Aided by a strong team, Felipe will become one to watch in season 23’s edition of the Volta. An YC win is suspected, but the rider is strong enough to grab out for more.
  
   So though a small and for some insignificant cycling nation, Brazil does offer talent and dedication along its ranks. For those, who remembers Amadeú, knows that the Samba nation always have something other than football and thongs to offer.
  
  
  
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  Clickable Team + Rider Names!
  
   Written by Brazil's expert Pele from
  VC Botafogo to OCM Magazine