Hundreds of resistance cyclists are tackling 332 kilometers of rugged mountain terrain, forests, and lakes across the Aysén region during the second edition of Titan Forest Patagonia, which officially launched in Villa Cerro Castillo before its four-day race schedule.
The endurance cycling competition brought international cycling stars, regional officials, and local families together this week as the second edition of Titan Forest Patagonia opened at a newly established camp in Villa Cerro Castillo. Following its debut in Coyhaique in 2025, the event shifts location as part of an itinerant strategy designed to decentralize sports activities beyond regional hubs and showcase distinct landscapes in the Aysén Patagonia destination.
Challenging Routes Across Mountain Passes and Lakes
Competitors face grueling climbs across Carretera Austral roadways, forestry tracks, technical trails, and high-altitude mountain sectors. Mountain bike participants confront a total distance of 332 kilometers accompanied by 6,472 meters of positive elevation gain. Meanwhile, gravel racers cover 323 kilometers with 6,490 meters of cumulative ascent.
Titan Forest Patagonia presenta su segunda edición y abre las puertas de su nuevo campamento en Villa Cerro Castillo https://t.co/87VjZzy4Gy
- Stage One: The longest route connecting Villa Cerro Castillo with Puerto Sánchez.
- Stage Two: Loops starting and finishing at the new Titan Camp near the Río Ibáñez and local lakes.
- Stage Three: Additional circuit racing centered around the base camp territory.
- Stage Four: The final leg concluding at Península Levicán near Lake General Carrera.
International Stars and Local Riders on the Starting Grid
The starting roster features prominent international cycling figures, including Spanish rider Daniel Moreno, a winner of La Flèche Wallonne and Vuelta a España stages; Czech competitor Ondřej Fojtík, champion of the 2014 Titan Desert; and Spanish ultramarathon champion Anna Ramírez. Ultra-runner Valentí Sanjuan, Titan Desert veteran Misha Sekulová, and Oriol Colomé—who brings 16 Titan appearances and over 8,000 circuit kilometers—also joined the field alongside Australian Football League 2021 champions Max Gawn, Ed Langdon, and Jake Lever from the Melbourne Demons.
To broaden regional participation, the regional government and its council awarded 10 competitive scholarships following a nearly three-month selection process that drew about 50 applications. Evaluated by an expert committee on sports, territory, social, and gender criteria, the recipients include José Luis “Pipo” Rodríguez—recognized for athletic merit—alongside Paulina Guzmán Aedo, Camila Patricia Andrade Santana, Gabriela del Pilar Vega Guzmán, Oscar Hernán Torres Céspedes, Paulino Antonio Arias Muñoz, Álvaro Muñoz Mercado, Pablo Felipe Gálvez Campos, Bárbara Belén Jara Subiabre, and José Miguel Aguirre Cofré.
Community Welcome and Opening Schedule
Ahead of the official race start, children, residents, and athletes gathered for a family cycling event through Villa Cerro Castillo. Organized on Sunday afternoon, the community ride began near the local community hall under the direction of sports director Manuel Tajada.
Marcelo Santana, Regional Governor of Aysén, said that with this type of event we seek to promote Aysén as an adventure sports destination and decentralize activities, taking them beyond Coyhaique and Puerto Aysén toward other communes, such as Río Ibáñez.
The official race start took place at 08:00 on Monday, November 2. The four-day competition runs through Thursday, November 5, concluding with an awards ceremony scheduled for 18:00 that evening, anchored by execution from Sernatur Aysén and funding from the regional government via the Aysén Patagonia Destination Competitiveness Strengthening Program.