Back to Alentejo: Canceled because of coronavirus.
The next edition of the Volta ao Alentejo in Bicycle, the 38th of the "Alentejo", which should be carried out between 18 and 22 March, with the start scheduled for Reguengos de Monsaraz and end in Évora, was today canceled.
Due to the spread of new coronavirus (Covid-19), the "Alentejo" of 2020 it was aborted, that it was a joint decision of the Podium Events, organizer, and CIMAC-Intermunicipal Community of Central Alentejo, owner of proof and the Portuguese Cycling Federation.
By the direction of the Volta ao Alentejo, led by Joaquim Gomes, clarifications were sent back to a joint statement to be issued during the day tomorrow.
The "Alentejo" had a presentation scheduled for Thursday afternoon, in Reguengos de Monsaraz Municipal Library and would be disputed by 126 Runners, on presentation of 18 teams, eleven Portuguese, four Spanish and one German, Russia and Angola, five steps online and an individual Time Trial, the distance 817,2 kilometers.
The route of the race would allow the passage of the caravan by 31 of 47 municipalities of the Alentejo region:
1Th Stage - 18 March - Reguengos de Monsaraz - Beja
2Th Stage - 19 March - Almodovar - Sines
3Th Stage - 20 March - Alcacer do Sal - Mora
4Th Stage - 21 March - Monforte - Castelo de Vide
5Th Stage - 21 March - Castelo de Vide - Castelo de Vide (CRI)
6Th Stage - 22 March - Portalegre - Évora
In 2010, a decision CIMAC, The test was suspended from the high costs, but after an agreement between this entity and the Podium it has allowed it to continue on the road. Remember that the golden years of the "Alentejo" occurred in 1996, when the winner of the Tour penta, Spaniard Miguel Indurain (Banesto) won the race, in the year that Arrow has become international.
However the Portugal Cycling Federation, responsible for carrying out on Sunday of Classical Arrábida, also with the presence of foreign formations, not yet revealed whether this will take place or whether it will be also canceled.
Teixeira Correia
(journalist)
