Danilo Pimentel (BRA) and Vittoria Lopes (BRA) took the wins at the first-ever Challenge Fortaleza, overcoming tough conditions with strong winds, rain, and heat along the Brazilian coast.
In the men’s race, it was a battle from the start between Danilo Pimentel (BRA) and Igor Amorelli (BRA), who exited the swim together, with Enzo Krauss (BRA) following in third. The leading duo set out on the 90km coastal bike course shoulder-to-shoulder, with Amorelli making the first move to gain a 40-second lead. Pimentel, however, remained in striking distance and by the final lap had closed the gap, riding away from Amorelli and taking control of the race. He held steady on the run to claim victory in 3:54:15, with Amorelli second in 4:04:13 and Krauss rounding out the podium in 4:09:15.
“It was a tough race in these conditions,” said Pimentel, “It’s my first Challenge Family victory, and I hope I can be at The Championship in Samorin next year.”
The women’s race was dominated from start to finish by Vittoria Lopes (BRA). The Olympian exited the water with a commanding lead and never looked back, maintaining her advantage throughout the bike and run to take the title in 4:23:40. Behind her, Raquel Rocha (POR) secured second in 4:32:28, while Pietra Meneghini (BRA) completed the podium in 4:35:46.
“I didn’t have the best preparation because I had a false diagnosis and we thought I had a stress fracture”, said Lopes. “These conditions were really hard, but I am really happy to win in my hometown.”
The inaugural edition of Challenge Fortaleza showcased the strength of Brazil’s triathlon community, combining a scenic coastal setting with challenging racing conditions to deliver a memorable debut for both professional and age-group athletes.
For full results, visit https://chipbrasil.com.br/eventos
For more information, visit https://www.challenge-brazil.com/fortaleza/
Finish Line Interviews
Danilo Pimentel – https://youtu.be/Pa_pSZk0K4c
Vittoria Lopes – https://youtu.be/2ESluiYg0CY
