Sports
Sports Events: The Future of Cycling in Integrated Ecosystems
Discover how events like the Bike Series on the Tamoios Highway are transforming sports, tourism, and communities in Brazil.
Gisele Gasparotto hosts Décio Rodrigues (Bike Series) and Leonardo Gê (Serramar Sports) to discuss the evolution of sports events. They explore how integrating sports, tourism, and regional development creates unique experiences. The highlight is an unprecedented cycling event along the Tamoios Highway, an initiative set to revolutionize the sports calendar of São Paulo's North Coast.
On the podcast "Na Roda do Stemma" (On the Stemma Wheel), Gisele Gasparotto spoke with Décio Rodrigues, creator of Bike Series, and Leonardo Gê, Head of the Serramar Sports Ecosystem, about the future of sports events and the growing integration between sports, tourism, and regional development. The discussion delved into the new and innovative cycling event to be held along the Tamoios Highway on the North Coast of São Paulo, highlighting how this approach can transform the athlete experience and community impact.
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Bike Series: From the Track to the Open Road
Décio Rodrigues shared the genesis of Bike Series, which stemmed from his own cycling journey, encouraged by medical advice in 2015. The idea of allowing other cyclists to enjoy places like the Interlagos Racetrack led to the creation of events that initially combined cycling with motorsports. Over time, Bike Series grew, moving from racetracks (like Capuava, Itu, and test tracks for Ford and Chevrolet) to open roads. This challenging transition reflects the search for new experiences for athletes. The main difficulty is ensuring safety, which requires the complete closure of roads and complex operational planning, especially on concessioned highways like the Tamoios, demanding detours and approvals from various entities.
Serramar Sports: A Hub for Sports and Tourism
Leonardo Gê presented the Serramar Sports Ecosystem, an ambitious project on the North Coast of São Paulo that aims to integrate sports, tourism, nature, accommodation, and health into a single destination. The initiative gained momentum after the successful Beach Tennis Pan-American Championship, which attracted over 500 athletes from 18 countries, generating a significant economic impact, comparable to a "second New Year's Eve" for the region. Serramar Shopping and Fazenda Serramar are strategically located, about 1.5 hours from Guarulhos and 2 hours from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, with robust infrastructure including a hotel, shopping, and facilities, all within walking distance. The goal is to make the region a benchmark for cycling, triathlon, and adventure races, boosting local development and dispelling old perceptions of cities like Caraguatatuba.
The Unprecedented Tamoios Route
The new Bike Series event in Caraguatatuba will utilize the South and North stretches of the Tamoios Highway, an unprecedented and recently inaugurated route. With 85 km for the long course (750m elevation gain) and 48 km for the short course, the race is not entirely flat, featuring gentle climbs and descents, as well as tunnels. Safety is paramount, with ambulances, motorcycle paramedics, and support staff accompanying the groups. The Serramar structure offers convenience for athletes and their families, with a hotel (Hampton by Hilton), shopping, and activation areas near the start and finish, allowing families to follow the race and enjoy local attractions such as beaches, parks, and whale watching in Ilhabela.
The Athlete Experience and Regulatory Innovations
The discussion also covered the growing emphasis on the athlete and family experience at events. Décio highlighted that most participants seek more than just competition; they want a complete experience, enjoying the surroundings, culture, and local attractions. This vision leads to the creation of events that encourage participation from the entire family. A new rule in women's cycling regulations was emphasized: the prohibition of women drafting ("roda" or gregário) behind men in road races. This change aims to ensure a fairer and safer competition for women, who will have separate starts and monitoring by motorcycle commissaries from the Federação Paulista de Ciclismo. For those who wish to cycle with friends or partners, options like mixed doubles and personal challenges are available.
Brazil: Potential for International Sports Tourism
Both guests expressed the belief that Brazil has enormous potential to become an international sports tourism destination. Despite infrastructure challenges and difficulties in obtaining licenses for public road events, the country's natural beauty is unquestionable. The key to attracting foreign athletes and retaining domestic ones lies in promotion, the visibility of well-organized events, and a robust calendar featuring relevant races, including international seals like that of the UCI. Collaboration between the private sector, sports entities, and public authorities is fundamental to overcome obstacles and transform Brazil into a hub for high-performance sports.
The Bike Series event in Caraguatatuba along the Tamoios Highway symbolizes this new era: a race that goes beyond competition, offering an immersive and transformative experience for everyone involved. It's an invitation for athletes and families to discover the beauty and potential of the North Coast of São Paulo, enjoying the sport and all that the region has to offer.
Register and Participate!
Registrations for the Bike Series in Caraguatatuba (and other events) can be made on bikeseries.com.br. The race features 85 km (long) and 48 km (short) routes, catering to various cyclist profiles. For more information about the complex, visit Instagram @SerramarShopping or @HamptonCaraguatatuba.
This event promises to be a landmark, not only for Brazilian cycling but also for the development of sports tourism in the country, demonstrating how the passion for sports can transform lives and places, creating unforgettable memories for athletes and their families.
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