Chile and Spain take the top spots in the Titan Forest Patagonia

The first edition of Titan Forest Patagonia has come to an end with very positive results. With nearly 100 cyclists participating and local athletes José Luis Pipo Rodriguez (2nd) and Camila Andrade (3rd) playing a leading role—both with podium finishes in their respective categories— the event crowned a four-day cycling tour of Patagonia, beginning and ending each circuit at a large camp set up in the Urban Park of the city of Coyhaique.

For his part, elite athlete Luis Ángel Maté took first place overall, crowning himself the first Titan of Patagonia. At the end of the fourth day, he said: “Titan races are never over until you cross the finish line. In Almería, I had a breakdown near the end. Finishing this race is an honor, and I am very happy. Now I will stay in Aysén for a few days to explore, and I will definitely return because this land has given me so many emotions,” he said.

Chilean José Luis “Pipo” Rodriguez, very excited upon reaching the finish line of this fourth and final day, said: “I knew that all the people who love me would be waiting for me. I am grateful to God for this opportunity again, because at one point I thought I would never ride a bike again. And here we are, seeing my family, my kids, showing our faces.”

He added: “I’m happy, I can feel the love of the whole region. Long live Patagonia and long live Chile! I am grateful to the Regional Government, the Municipality of Aysén, my wife and my daughter, who are my driving force, and to everyone who supported me in this race,” he said.

The winner of the women’s category, Spain’s Pilar Fernández, shared her excitement at the end of the Titan Forest Patagonia: “I’m very happy to be here and to have won all the stages, but I mustn’t forget all the other women who completed this Titan, which was so tough and so hilly. I think we have all won, because even though there are few of us, we are very enthusiastic. Besides, this is one of the most impressive and wild landscapes I have ever cycled in, almost untouched and truly spectacular.”

Camila Andrade, also from Coyhaique, said after getting off her bike in this first Titan Forest Patagonia: “I’m happy to have finished the Titan; it was four very tough days, especially the last stage with so many climbs. Even with a few mishaps and some disorientation, I reached the finish line happy and eager to come back next year to improve my time.”

Titan Forest Patagonia is promoted and financed by the Regional Government of Aysén, with the support of Sernatur, to position Aysén Patagonia as an international nature and adventure destination, within the framework of the FNDR program to strengthen the competitiveness of the destination.