Picture by Valentine Dreyfus
The race has officially begun and already the riders are spreading across the Patagonian landscape. With the field now around 10 km beyond the first veterinary check, significant gaps are beginning to appear between groups as each rider settles into their own rhythm and strategy.
The lead group is currently camped along the southern edge of Lake Bello. At the front are Tobby, Santiago, Alfonsina, Andres, Callie, Mateo, Gillian, and Ozbe, moving strongly across this section of the course.
About 3.5 km behind, a second group continues the pursuit. Wiesman, Leo, Louis, Jaco, and Mariaan remain close together as they progress across the terrain.
Further back, a third group has reached Veranada Jones, where Daisy and Liam, Marguerite and Mary, Emma, Marcos, Chloe, and Natasha are currently riding through.
Behind them, Mariano, Marguerita, Lexy, and Nour continue along the route, maintaining their pace across the open country.
At the entrance of Veranada Jones, Nadia, Sofia, Isabel, and Robin are approaching the same section of the course.
Finally, Sven and Nina are currently around 5.5 km behind, continuing their journey through the Patagonian wilderness.
With the race only just underway, the first distances between riders are already beginning to define the rhythm of the competition.
Picture by Valentine Dreyfus