Around the Alentejo Bike: Of a death foretold, the desired resurrection.
In 25 January 2010, the Association of Évora District Municipalities (AMDE) announced the suspension of "Alentejo", was”Death Foretold”.
It was an expected decision. At great cost, "Respond" weak advertising revenue and short contributions of municipalities, but the big "financial effort" was made by AMDE, the organizer of the Tour to the Alentejo.
The 27th edition of "Alentejo" had a cost of 323.792,55 euros and revenue 114.500,00 euros, which amounted to a negative balance 209.292,55 euros that came out of the associative safes.
The resulting policy changes of the municipal 2009, let see huge changes and on 25 January, appears less desired news: "A political decision, taken last night by the Association of Évora District Municipalities (AMDE), organizer of the Tour to the Alentejo Bike, is in the running of the suspension of origin 2010, just over two months the 28th edition go on the road between 7 and 11 April ".
One that is by all as "the greatest sporting initiative of Alentejo", ia disappear. From all sides came words of people connected to the sport they considered to be "a big blow in the form and proof", arguing that it "hardly would return" in 2011.
Artur Lopes, then president of the Portuguese Cycling Federation, said it was "a blow, where there was "lack of political will".
Joaquim Gomes, Technical Director of PAD, now Podium Events and winner of the Tour of the Alentejo 1988 advocated ending "a charismatic proof".
Marco Chagas, commentator of RTP and winner of the "Alentejo" in 1984, held to be "a blow" and considered the evidence as "the reference race" in Portuguese cycling.
But when all seemed lost and the "Alentejo" would disappear, behold Joaquim Gomes and DBP, play the decisive trump card. Taking advantage of a vague date in the company's timetable for a four-day international event to be held in June, with the agreement of AMDB and the collaboration of Alfredo Barroso and Jorge Nunes and Agricultural Credit of Riviera, Volta "reborn" on the roads of the Alentejo.
Two years ago sponsored by Liberty Seguros, the "Alentejo" back to grow from year to year and the return to category 2.1 can be a reality for years to come and the tradition will remain this year: "A new winner in 2015".
The 33rd Around the Alentejo / Liberty Seguros was presented last day 19 March, in the Auditorium of the Municipal Library of Reguengos de Monsaraz, will be on the roads in the region, and goes on the road between 25 and 29 March, five steps, in total 804,6 kms, starting in Portalegre and end in Reguengos de Monsaraz.
Will be present 184 Runners, representing 23 teams, as 12 Portuguese, six-six Continental Club / Sub 23 and 11 foreign, including the selection of the United States (USA).
Participating teams
1 - W52 - Quinta da Sandpaper (Continental - BY), Radio poupular - Boavista (Continental - BY), LA Aluminum Antarte (Continental - BY), Efapel (Continental - BY), Team Tavira (Continental - BY), Louletano - Ray Just Energy (Continental - BY), Moreira Frozen - Fair - Ktm (Club - BY), Anicolor (Club - BY), C.C. J. Maria Nicolau (Club - BY), Maia - Ribeiro's Bike Shop (Club - BY), Liberty Seguros - Carglass (Club - BY), Sicasal / Konstantinos / UDO (Club - BY), Usa Cycling ( Selecao - USA), OPTUM P/B Kelly Benefit Strategies (Continental – USA), Axeon Cycling Team (Continental – USA), Team Coop - Cheese House (Continental – NOR), Activejet Team (Continental – POL), Team Fix-it.No (Continental – NOR), Country - EDP ( Club - ESP), Murias - Part (Continental – ESP), Lokosphinx (Continental – RUS), Metec – TKH Continental Cycling Team p/B Mantel (Continental – DOWN) e Team Ecuador (Continental – ECU).
Stages
1Th- Wednesday, 25 March: Portalegre (12h00)-Castelo de Vide (15h45)- 143,7 kms
MV's: Crato-16.6 kms, Alter do Chao-29.9 kms and 57.2 kms-Monforte; PM’s: Hall Cold-103.4 kms and Lady of Penha-124.4 kms; Pedestrian supply:
2Th- Thursday, 26 March: Castelo de Vide (12h05)-Mora (15h52)- 152,5 kms
MV's: Women 25,5 kms, Bridge Sôr-77.3 kms and 57.2 kms Avis-; Pedestrian supply: Galveias-89.7 kms
3Th- Friday, 27 March: Portel (11h20)-Mértola (16h00)- 189,6 kms
MV's: Viana do Alentejo 26,8 kms, Vidigueira-56.9 kms and Aljustrel 116.5-kms; Pedestrian supply: Ervidel-103,9 kms
4Th- Saturday, 28 March: Aljustrel (12h15)-Vila Nova Santo André (15h45)- 143,7 kms
MV's: Cercal-55,5 kms, Santiago do Cacém 84.2-km and 111.5 km-Grndola; PM's: Serra de Grândola-120.7; Pedestrian supply:
5Th- Sunday, 29 March; Alcacer do Sal (1h20)-Reguengos de Monsaraz (15h52)- 175,1 kms
MV's: Montemor-o-Novo-44.4 kms, Arraiolos-66.4 kms and 57.2 kms Avis-; Pedestrian supply: EN4, the way to Estremoz-95 kms
Teixeira Correia
(journalist)
