Cycling: Back to Alentejo, It was presented today in Montemor-o-Novo.
It was presented this afternoon in Montemor-o-Novo, the 35th Volta ao Alentejo in Bicycle, proof will be on the road between 22 a 26 Feb., starting in Portalegre and end in Évora. The race was promoted to the rank 2.1 the ranking of the International Cycling Union.
Carlos Barbero (Movistar), winner of the edition 2014, one of the runners registered by Movistar (Spain), the best team in the world in the International Cycling Union Rating (UCI), pode “furar” a tradição e ser o primeiro corredor a vencer a “Alentejana” por duas vezes. This is the great unknown and main challenge of proof, that this year will be played three days after the end of the Tour of the Algarve.
The race, organized from 2010 the Podium Events, the same of the Tour of Portugal, It has five steps Online, in total 882,8 kilometers and will go 35 of 47 Alentejo municipalities (Alto, Low and Litoral) and it will be contested by 19 teams, 6 Portuguese and 13 foreign.
The "Alentejo" reached international in 1996, with the presence of Miguel Indurain and kept such a category to 2009, date on which the organization CIMAC-Intermunicipal Community of Central Alentejo, "Heir" of the Association of Evora District Municipalities (AMDE), He decided to stay the enforcement of the race.
then was the Podium in a protocol with the CIMAC, which has put on the road since 2010 the Volta ao Alentejo in Bicycle, but going to the same category 2.2, that given the rules of the UCI, limiting the presence of the world's best teams.
It is recalled that the Volta ao Alentejo is the only international event World, where no runner managed to repeat the triumph. Thirty-four editions have so many different winners and among them are Miguel Indurain, Aitor Garmendia, Asiat Saitov, Melchior Mauri, José Luís Rubiera, Laszlo Bodrogi, Xavier Tondo, Carlos Barbero, Paulo Ferreira, Manuel Zeferino, Marco Chagas, Joaquim Gomes, David White, among many others.
Stages of the Volta ao Alentejo-22 to 26 Feb. (look here: ALENTEJANA 2017- routes)
1Th stage- Portalegre, Castelo de Vide- 158 kms
Match: 12h00. Flights to Crato (MV-km 17-12h35), Alter do Chão (12h53), Monforte (MV-km 57,4-13h36), Pedestrian supply (km 94,6-14h31), Portalegre (MV-km 99-14h38), Cabeço do Mouro (PM 2ª cat-km 102,2-14h43), Monte Paleiros (PM 3ª cat-km 107,3-14h50), Marvão (PM 4ª cat-km 118-15h07) and Lady of Penha (PM 3ª cat-km 138,6-15h37). Arrival: Castelo de Vide- 16h07.
2Th stage- Monforte-Portel- 171,3 kms
Match: 11h50. Flights to Estremoz (12h33), Fight (MV-Km 39,9-12h57), Vila Viçosa (13h00), Alandroal (13h19), Redondo (MV-km 72,2-13h43), Reguengos de Monsaraz (MV-Km 100,9-14h24), Pedestrian supply (km 102-14h25), Monsaraz (PM 4ª cat-Km 117,7-14h48) e Amieira (15h38). Arrival: Portel- 16H04.
3Th stage- Mourao-Mértola- 208,8 kms
Match: Mourao (10h50). Flights by Amareleja (11h29), Moura (MV-km 46,9-12h10), Sinks (12h30), Serpa (12h57), Ponte Rio Guadiana (13h10), Beja (MV-km 107,2-13h40), Pedestrian supply (Avenida Salgueiro Maia/ Beja-km 108,5-13h42), Santa Vitória (14H08), Ervidel (14h16), Aljustrel (14h34), Carregueiro (14h48), Castro Verde (MV-km 166,3-15h09) and Alcaria Ruiva (15h50). Arrival: Mértola- 16h13.
4Th stage- Odemira-Alcacer do Sal- 175,2 kms
Match: Odemira (11h45). Flights by Vila Nova de Milfontes (12h22), Porto Covo (12h47), Sines (MV-km 58,7-13h13), Vila Nova de Santo André (MV-km 73,7-13h35), Santiago do Cacém (PM 4ª cat-km 86-13h52), Pedestrian supply (km 98,1-14h10), Grândola (MV-km 114,6-14h33), Carvalhal (15h05) and involves (15H17). Arrival: Alcacer do Sal- 16h01.
5Th stage- Ferreira do Alentejo-Evora- 168,9 kms
Match: Ferreira do Alentejo (11h50). Flights to Cuba (12H28), Crossing Matthias (12h44), Vidigueira (12H58), Alvito (MV-km 62,8-13h29), Alcáçovas (MV-km 90,4-14h09), Pedestrian supply (km 103,7-14h28), Montemor-o-Novo (PM 4ª cat-km 122,6-14h55) and Arraiolos (MV-km 144,6-15h26). Arrival: Évora (Giraldo Square)- 16h01.
the teams
World Tour: Movistar Team (Spain)
Continental Professionals: Apple / Postobon (Colombia), Israel Cycling Academy (Israel), Gazprom/ Rusvelo (Russia), Caja Rural / Seguros RGA (Spain) e CCC / Sprandi Polkowice (Poland)
Continental: Axeon/ Hagens Berman e Rally Cycling (both two United States gives America), Metec TKH (Holland), Euskadi Basque Country/ Murias (Spain), Team COOP e Team Sparebanjen Sor (both in Norway), An Post/ Chain Reaction (Ireland) and Portuguese, LA Aluminios / Metalusa, Popular radio / Boavista, Loulé / Faro Hospital, Sporting/ Tavira, EFAPEL and W52 / FCPorto.
Teixeira Correia
(journalist)
