His team was one of twelve who were disqualified yesterday for failing to make the mandatory 12-noon cutoff at PC 14. His race was over.

Last year, with teammate and childhood friend Francis Bruderer, Delgado won the Spirit Award at Eco-Challenge Argentina. But they had failed to officially finish.

This year, the pair teamed up with Micheline Morel, 49, and Christian Nottbohm, 32, with one objective: to finish officially. "We just wanted to finish in the top 40," said Bruderer, a farmer from Guatemala City.

But yesterday, their dream was shattered.

"This is the type of race where you can't have passengers," said Bruderer.

The dejected 37-year-old explained that Morel, the oldest female competitor at Eco-Challenge, had been unable to carry her pack. "She's probably the most mentally committed person I've met," said Bruderer. "She just didn't have the physical strength."

While some teams had decided to continue on unranked, Hombres de Maiz had opted to quit. "That's not why we came here," said Delgado. "We came here to compete."

"It's incredibly frustrating," Delgado continued. "The hardest part is watching these other teams come through here. I can't even explain it."

Despite a rough race this year, the Guatemalans are hooked. "We'll be back next year for sure, Gabriel and I," said Bruderer. "I guess Eco-Challenge gets in your blood system and you can't get it out."