Daniel Master and Henrique Casimiro, natural from Almodovar, and Afonso Luís, Odemira, these are the people from Alentejo present at the 82nd edition of “Portuguesa” which starts today in Lisbon.
the two runners, both of 35 year old, and the young man from Odemir, of 21 year old, are part of the list of 126 participants in the Volta a Portugal that begins with a prologue of 5,4 kms to dispute in Lisbon, at the Praça do Império, next to the Centro Cultural de Belém.
Participate in the regatta 18 teams, nine Portuguese and nine foreign, highlighting the presence of the Spanish Movistar, that belongs to the WorldTour, with the favoritism of the final victory falling on a group of seven runners from Portuguese teams, five portuguese and two spanish.
Amaro Antunes and João Rodrigues (W52 / FC Porto), António Carvalho and Frederico Figueiredo (Efapel), Vicente Garcia de Mateos, John Benta (Popular radio / Boavista) and Gustavo Veloso (Tuna General/ Tavira/ Maria Nova Hotel) are the main candidates. How outsiders appear Joni Brandão (W52 / FC Porto), Joaquim Silva (Tavrer/ Measindot/ Mortágua), Tomas Contte (Louletano/ Loulé Municipality) and Adrian Bustamante (Kelly/ Simoldes/ Oliveirense).
Of the foreign runners present, the Venezuelan Orluis Aular has the greatest track record of victories. (Caja Rural / Seguros RGA) with thirteen wins, followed by the Spanish Enrique Sanz (Kern Pharma Team) with nine triumphs, four of which in Volta ao Alentejo and one in Volta a Portugal, but not a natural climber.
Or Canadian Robert Britton and or American Ben King, both Rally Cycling runners, present six triumphs and can be surprises in the fight for the top places, just like the Puerto Rican Abner Gonzalez (Movistar).
Returning to the three Alentejo people (photo of the last team they ran together), Henrique Casimiro (Kelly/ Simoldes/ Oliveirense) it's a climber, was already 7th in the Volta a Portugal in 2016 and can be a great candidate for the top ten of the overall ranking and even win a stage. Daniel Mestre (W52 / FC Porto), to sprinter, has already won three stages in "Portuguese" and in 2019 won the Points Ranking. Alfonso Silva, (Popular radio / Boavista) makes his debut at Volta a Portugal and is already one of the certainties of Professor José Santos' team.
FOREWORD: Lisbon- Lisbon- 5,4 kms
Departure from Praça do Império, Avenida da Índia and arrives at Praça do Império.
Starting the first runner to 15,20 hours (William Bjergfelt/ SwinfCarbon) and the last at 17,25 hours (Amaro Antunes/W52/FCPorto).
Teixeira Correia
(journalist)
Photo: Firmino Passion
