Don't be surprised if you hear more shouts of 'Bravo' at bike races, with a capital 'B'. While the chant is a common exclamation to praise skill and courage, it's also the surname of Brazil's latest sports personality, 19-year-old cyclist Henrique Bravo. He's on an upward trajectory far away from his Brazilian roots, now making noise in Europe with Soudal-QuickStep Development.
There was another Enrique who became a role model in Brazil for a rising generation of cyclists: Enrique Avancini, who won World Cups, stages at Cape Epic and world titles with his mountain bike skills. Rather than a Kaká, Neymar, Rinaldo, or Rinaldinho, it was this athlete with two names and two world championships in marathon MTB who caught the attention of Bravo, carving a passion for the mountain bike and a path to a pro career on the road bike.
