Bikini-clad Miss BumBum competitors put their pert posteriors on parade during Rio Olympics on the high way

Some of Brazil's finest backsides were paraded on the streets this week ahead of the fifth Miss BumBum competition. See photos after the cut

As Rio roads closed for the Olympic cycling events yesterday - traffic stopped for another reason - as the girls took the streets of Sao Paulo.

More than one hundred applications from each of Brazil's 27 states had been whittled down to just 15.

And they decided to show exactly what their behinds were made of on Monday ahead of the annual competition in November.

Competition organiser and journalist Cacau Oliver, said the event aimed to represent the wonders of Brazil, where Carnival performers have been known to take out insurance policies on their behinds.

He said: "It is a beauty competition focused on the Brazilian bum, which is a postcard picture.

"I think that is why Brazilian women look after their bodies, to show they are beautiful, they are complete with a postcard bum, so this competition is to show the strength of Brazilian women for those abroad."

Getting into the Olympic spirit, contestant Erika Canela, representing the northeastern state of Bahia, said Brazil would dominate the podium were Miss Bumbum an Olympic event.

"Definitely, (Brazil would win) lots of gold medals, every year since the Olympics began we would win gold because Brazil is known for the prettiest bums in the world," said Canela.

Competing against Canela were mother and daughter, Bruna Ferraz and Eduarda Moraes, who said she was privileged to show off the genes her mother had given her.

"Oh my god, it is marvellous, I loved taking part with my daughter, Eduarda," said Ferraz.

"It has been an honour, especially carrying these genes," added Moraes.

 Bikini-clad Miss BumBum competitors put their pert posteriors on parade during Rio Olympics on the high way