Brazilian rising star Henrique Bravo impresses in Europe with Soudal Quick-Step, thanks in part to Tim Merlier

Bravo is 19 years old and was born in Nova Lima, southeastern Brazil. In that country, becoming a cyclist is not a given. There is definitely a sports culture, but it usually involves sports that are not on two wheels. “I did a lot of sports when I was young—swimming, tennis, soccer,” Bravo tells Wielerverhaal. "Just because I was fascinated by sports. I also watched a lot of soccer on TV. That should come as no surprise because, as everyone knows, it's a huge sport in our country."

When he was 12, he wanted to try something new. Mountain biking caught the youngster's interest. "I asked my mother for a bike, and we went to a bike shop together. I started with a Specialized RockHopper, and I remember that on the day I got it, I cycled 40 km through my neighborhood, I was thrilled. That quickly made me curious about competitions on TV or the internet, especially in mountain biking."

Mountain bikers such as Edvandro Cruz, Rubens Donizete, and Henrique Avancini have achieved success in their home country. "There is a strong MTB culture in South America, especially in Brazil," Bravo explains. "The place where I lived was no exception because it was great for mountain biking. There were some amazing trails and really beautiful climbs where I could develop my skills."

He started racing in his mid-teens and did very well. He even started winning. "My victories enabled me to come to Europe, where I could ride several UCI junior races in Switzerland and Italy in 2023, discovering a different way of racing and other trails. Unbelievable for a 17-year-old! My first real experience on the road was last year. Before that, I had participated in five road races in Brazil, but that was nothing compared to what I experienced at the start of the Vuelta a la Ribera del Duero."

That race was his first multi-day race, and on top of that, it was in Spain. It was a completely new experience and a bit of a rollercoaster ride. "I went there without knowing what my level was, without any experience. It was an eventful race from day one. In the first stage, a short and flat one, I crashed 10 km after the start, along with half the peloton. Then I crashed again later that day, but luckily, it wasn't serious, and I could continue."

Bravo recovered in the next stage. In fact, he thrived. "In the second stage, I rode to the finish line alone, leaving the chasing pack a minute behind. That's one of my best memories because people had no idea who I was. I wasn't even supposed to be in that race, but I achieved that fantastic victory, which made me proud. Then, on the last day, I successfully defended the jersey. It was incredible to do that and stand on the podium."

With that surprising performance, he caught the attention of top European teams. But it was Johan Molly who acted the fastest. The scout from Soudal Quick-Step contacted him right away. "I was surprised that one of the best teams in the world knew my results and who I was. It was great to hear. I did a few tests in Belgium and then traveled with Molly to the European Championships in Limburg. There, I met Tim Merlier and Bert Van Lerberghe, and on that day, I knew that Soudal Quick-Step was the best option for me."

Merlier and Van Lerberge played a significant role in the decision of the now 19-year-old rising star. "Tim and Bert treated me like I was part of the team; they were incredibly nice. The family spirit I felt around them convinced me that The Wolfpack was the right place for me to develop." Merlier himself won the European title.

Bravo has now ridden his first races for the development team, including the Circuit des Ardennes, the Alpes isère Tour, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège for U23 riders, where he finished 21st. These are the first steps, but the Brazilian youngster seems to be in the right place. "I hope to continue on this path because I feel great at the Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team."