Ernie Sanchez
For the past 15 years, the Mexican Cycling Federation has organized the The Vuelta Ciclista Mazatlan. This year the event was held May 28-June 1, 2002, and more than 500 competitors from the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Cuba and several other Latin American countries participated in this well organized event. During this time of year, Mazatlan is in the mid 80s F (high humidity), slight breezes are felt along the coast, and the city begins preparing for the beginning of the tourist season (and the UCI Triathlon Ironman Qualifier held during the month of July).
From the time I arrived at the Mazatlan airport, bike racing “fever” was in the air. Cyclists were arriving with large shipping containers (bike/wheel boxes), event banners were hanging from street signs, and the shuttles were busy going back and forth from the airport to the host hotel. On my way to the hotel I couldn’t help but notice the “rolling terrain” and picturesque country side, decently paved roads (much better than the conditions found in the Madera Stage Race!), and the beautiful coastline lined by hundreds of palm trees full of coconuts!
Mazatlan has five stages of age graded racing (Elite/Sub 23, Juniors, Masters 30+, Masters 37-44, Masters 44-51, Masters 51-58, Masters 58+, and an Open Women’s Category). Some of the stages would travel along the coast (this is where you felt the “breeze”), and others would head inland towards the rolling and mountainous terrain.
The first stage was the most exciting. A 2.5 mile prologue that started on one side of the boardwalk and finished directly in front of the host hotel. Talk about feeling special as a bike racer, the local police department had every intersection controlled, most of the business’s on the route had events taking place outside their establishments (sidewalk sales, cafes), music was blaring, and the “ramp start” added a European race flavor. After a couple miles of pain, and a stiff side wind, it was refreshing to return to the beach front hotel featuring 5 star rooms, located just a couple of miles from the start/finish of each event (except stage four) and walking distance to several eating establishments (which feature seafood galore-Mazatlan is famous for their prawns).
The second and third road race stages were very similar to each other with 100 km of rolling terrain. Although the terrain was nothing to write home about, being able to ride on the freeway (toll road=well maintained roads), with rolling closures by none else than Mexico’s finest- Mexico Highway Patrol was a real treat. The heat was a factor during these out and back courses, but the ride back into town was the best (the “cool” breeze was well received by the racers, even though it resulted in a stiff head wind).
The fourth stage was the one I wish I had overslept and missed! This 80 km. road race featured 30 miles of rolling terrain followed by 20 miles of non-stop climbing. Although climbing has never been my forte, I am sure this stage would challenge even the strongest climbers (did I forget to mention some of the names contesting this event: Jose Robles top placer in the Vuelta de Colombia, Rodolfo Vitela, gold medalist in the Pan-American Games and bronze medalist in the Team Time Trial event, Montreal Olympic Games, Hilarion Sanchez, past Coors Classic Race King of the Mountain jersey winner, and current record holder for several events at the Cuba Masters World Championships).
The 40 km Boardwalk Criterium was the grand finale. With a stiff side wind, most races finished in a pack sprint.
What a race it was! The experience of racing with several top notch racers, in an environment that made you feel like you were competing in a European classic (police escort sirens blaring, people cheering curbside, several different languages being spoken, media following on motor bikes), was an opportunity of a lifetime. I would like to thank the Davis Bike Club Race Team for their support and would encourage team riders to participate next year. Although the race takes place in Mexico, more than two thirds of the peloton reside in the United States and have made The Vuelta Mazatlan an annual event on their bike racing schedules!
Note: Ernie Sanchez is a Senior 3 DBC rider who competed in The 2002 Vuelta Ciclista Mazatlan . He finished 12 in G.C. in the Master 30+ event. For more information on this event, or if you are interested on attending this event in 2003, he can be reached at sancheze@peoplepc.com.