Published On: Thu, Apr 26th, 2012

Boca Raton Resident Returns from Pan-AM Games

Boca Raton resident Filippo Barbieri has just returned from the Pan-AM Games in Mexico where he finished 32nd in one of the most gruesome races he’s ever raced in.

“After being off the bike for 8 years and coming back 2 years ago, I would’ve never thought I would be at the 2012 Pan-AM Games” said Barbieri after his return to Boca Raton.

According to Barbieri, the competition was of very high level and the race course was very challenging with 30+ mph downhills, long climbs, sharp rocks, and plants with sharp thorns.

Barbieri began the race in the last row and tried to maintain a good pace throughout the race. The high altitude was having a negative effect on Barbieri, “I quickly realized my body was not going to be where I wanted it to be. I felt as if I was breathing through a straw on the climbs and started getting a little dizzy and noxious on the mountain tops,” explained Barbieri .

Barbieri finished 32nd in the race and upon completing the race he fainted, “I tried to stay focus, push as hard as I could and do everything in my power to finish the race,” said Barbieri. “I pushed so hard that as soon as I finished, I fainted and fell off the bike. I don’t really know what happened after that but am very thankful for the quick response and assistance I received from the medical staff at the race. They were very quick to give me oxygen and help me recuperate. Racing with altitude sickness was very difficult but I still managed to finish in 32nd place and get some much needed UCI points.”

Barbieri will continue to race and is representing his native of Brazil in the races, “and hope to continue to learn and improve in the months to com. It was amazing to be able to represent Brazil and get to know everybody on the Brazilian team,” said Barbieri.

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