The Inca Divide is described as “the highest, most difficult, yet most beautiful ultra-cycling race in the world” and with the added complexity of challenging weather, high altitude riding, and few resupply points, this year’s event saw just 12 finishers. We’ve put together a quick event recap, plus a look at three of the finishers’ bikes. Read on for more…

Photos provided by Osprey Imagery and David Styv

In the four days following our announcement of Sofiane Sehili’s first place finish at this year’s Inca Divide race, the remaining riders trickled in to make the August 24th 5:00AM cutoff. The 2019 Inca Divide saw 50 athletes, spanning across 19 different nationalities, yet only 12 of those would reach the finish line in Trujillo, Peru. It’s reported that altitude sickness, mechanical troubles, and temperatures ranging from -15 to +40°C were the primary reasons behind so many participants scratching from the event. Not only were the changing weather conditions challenging to the riders’ physical states, it was making the route more demanding as well, especially within Huascaran National Park where riders encountered heavy snowfall, wind, and muddy slopes. However, those who finished were quick to acknowledge the raw beauty of the route itself, describing it as both “spectacular” and “beautiful.”

2019 Inca Divide Event Recap
  • 2019 Inca Divide Event Recap
  • 2019 Inca Divide Event Recap

As part of our recap, we put together the bike build kits for three of the 12 finishers, three completely different configurations, yet all proved completely capable to tackle an incredibly demanding race. The bikes in question belong to Sofiane Sehili (1st place), Rodney Soncco (2nd place), and Leandro Silva (6th place). See the details below.

Sofiane Sehili’s Inca Divide Setup

Sofiane used almost the exact same setup that he had at this year’s Tour Divide race. A Niner Air 9, rigid Niner fork, and 29 x 2.25″ tires. This type of setup is popular for ‘Tour Divide’ style races, and obviously worked for Sofiane as the Inca Divide as well.

  • 2019 Inca Divide Event Recap
  • 2019 Inca Divide Event Recap
  • Frame/Fork Niner Air 9, RDO Fork
  • Wheels Fulcrum Red Passion 3
  • Tires Vittoria Mezcal 29×2.25”
  • Handlebar Ritchey Carbon
  • Headset Niner
  • Crankset Shimano SLX 32T
  • Cassette Shimano XT 11/36
  • Derailleur Shimano SLX, 10sp
  • Brakes Shimano SLX
  • Shifter Shimano SLX
  • Saddle Fizik Gobi
  • Seatpost Niner RDO
  • Stem Ritchey
  • Frame bags Apidura Backcountry Frame Bag, Expedition Saddle Pack, Expedition Top Tube Bags
  • Other accessories Profile T3 Aerobars / Ergon grips

Rodney Soncco’s Inca Divide Setup

Rodney tackled the Inca Divide on a Look 765 Gravel RS, 700 x 36mm Challenge Strada Bianca tires, and a full Shimano Ultegra groupset. Slightly more ‘road’ oriented when compared to Sofiane’s setup, likely sacrificing some comfort for speed and weight.

  • 2019 Inca Divide Event Recap
  • 2019 Inca Divide Event Recap
  • Frame/Fork Look 765 Gravel Rs, Look Fork
  • Rims Hunt 30 Carbon aero disc
  • Hubs Hunt
  • Tires Challenge Strada Bianca 700x36mm
  • Handlebar FSA Visión Compact Aero Carbon 42cm
  • Headset Look
  • Crankset FSA SLK ultralight 50/34
  • Cassette Shimano Ultegra 11/34T
  • Derailleur Shimano Ultegra RD-RX800 11sp
  • Brakes Shimano Ultegra ST-R8020
  • Shifter Shimano Ultegra R8000
  • Saddle ISM P.L 1.0
  • Seatpost Look Carbon
  • Stem Look
  • Frame bags Apidura Backcountry Food Pouch Plus, Racing Saddle Pack, Racing Frame Pack,

Leandro Silva’s Inca Divide Setup

Leandro’s bike of choice is a definite outlier when compared to the other two, and a great reminder that it doesn’t take the latest and greatest technology to take on these types of challenges. Leandro’s Vizan sported 26″ wheels, V-brakes, a 21-speed drivetrain, and a set of unique PVC ‘bags’, complete with a rear rack and fenders.

  • 2019 Inca Divide Event Recap
  • 2019 Inca Divide Event Recap
  • Frame/Fork Vizan Frame, Alloy Fork
  • Rims Vizan 26″
  • Hubs Scorpion
  • Tires Kenda 26×1.25″ (front), 26×1.50″ (rear)
  • Handlebar Alloy
  • Headset First
  • Crankset SR Suntour
  • Cassette Shimano 7-Speed
  • Derailleur Shimano
  • Brakes V-Brakes
  • Shifter Yamada (front), GTS (rear)
  • Saddle Super Soft
  • Seatpost Alloy
  • Stem First
  • Frame bags PVC Pipe (on bars), DIY fibreglass box (on rack), PVC pipe accessory bags
  • Other accessories Fiberglass fenders, iron luggage rack, wrought iron aero bars

Congrats to everyone who participated in this year’s event. For those interested, here are the 12 finishers and their times:

  • Sofiane Sehili (France): 135 hours and 35 minutes
  • Rodney Soncco (Peru): 150 hours and 39 minutes
  • Giona Uccelli (Italy): 157 hours and 44 minutes
  • Guillaume Chaumont (Belgium): 178 hours and 29 minutes
  • Frédérico Costa Pinto (Brazil): 187 hours and 21 minutes
  • Leandro Carlos Da Silva Oliveira (Brazil): 205 hours and 37 minutes
  • Stuart Fitzpatrick (South Africa): 208 hours and 47 minutes
  • Victoria de Sa & Bruno Rosa (Brazil): 210 hours and 9 minutes
  • Juan Manuel Venturino (Argentina): 230 hours and 52 minutes
  • Leon Ivan Mendiola Ochoa (Mexico): 232 hours and 30 minutes
  • Jonas Deichmann (Germany): 239 hours and 39 minutes

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