Bikerush

The gold diggers have long disappeared. Now the Mina da Passagem in the small Brazilian town of Mariana is drawing a different species of adventurers. On March 25 and 26, 20 of the world’s best mountain bikers will compete in the Red Bull Challenge in the Goldmine.

What could be done with 35 tons of gold is up to the individual to imagine. What can be done with tunnels that emerge when one excavates this quantity of precious metal from a mountain will be answered on March 25 and 26 when 20 mountain bikers race in the Mina da Passagem near the center of the town of Mariana, which is located 115 kilometers south of Belo Horizonte..

The widely ramified tunnel system of the world’s largest gold mine open to tourists is more than 30 kilometers long. At temperatures of 17 to 20 degrees Cel., it also offers vistas of crystal-clear subterranean lakes. And what is more: it also offers plenty of views of steep slopes and narrow curves if one looks at it from the perspective of an athlete doing an extreme sport.

The Vertigo of Speed – Instead of Gold

A resolute group of adventurers will now follow in the footsteps of the 18th century gold miners – among them American Kyle Strait, Australian Nathie Renner, British Gee Athernon and Brazilian local matador Markolf Berchthold who are some of the world’s best mountain-bike riders. They are participating in a very special type of race. They are not riding down a mountain but into a mountain, with a 120 meter drop, to be more precise, and without any daylight.
 
The race begins before the entrance to the mine where the drivers have to demonstrate their biking skills by passing eight obstacles created by nature (rocks, tree trunks, etc.). Then it’s downhill: The 850 meter long course overcomes 120 meters in altitude. The driver has to deal with speeds beyond the 60 km/per hour limit. And this without any daylight and in tunnels, sometimes unpleasantly narrow ones, created by the walls’ rugged rocks.

Adventure underground

Brazilian mountain bike-legend Tadeu Monteiro has designed the course. He warns drivers primarily about the narrow second curve where onlookers will find a spectacular viewing place. And Tadeu warns drivers about the mysterious last 60 meters of the course about which he says with reassuring directness: “There’s never been a course like that for mountain bikers.” The invited drivers will have a chance to get their own idea of this course at the first training on March 23. On March 25, they will be racing for the first 10 starting positions in the qualification. And on Sunday March 26 the final race will follow.

There is still gold to be found in Mina da Passagem, but the effort required to get at it makes it unprofitable to mine. The very best riders of the high-calibre Red Bull Challenge in the Gold Mine will nonetheless be able to leave the site with their pockets stuffed. The prize money amounts to 35,000 Real, which translates into about 16,000 dollars.