The Algarve cyclist Ricardo Mestre is a candidate for victory in the 35th edition of the Torres Vedras International Grand Prix – Joaquim Agostinho Trophy, which will be disputed between 12 and 15 July.
Mestre was the winner of the 2011 edition, winning, weeks later, the Volta a Portugal. Because this race is an excellent preparation and fitness evaluation race with a view to the Volta a Portugal.
The Torres Vedras International Grand Prix – Joaquim Agostinho Trophy, which is an initiative of UDO – União Desportiva do Oeste, with the support of the Torres Vedras City Council, proposes a very bumpy route this year, with the race ending at the Wind Farm from Carvoeira, a tough second-rate mountain count.
Although this year's stages have an identical configuration to those taken from previous editions of the competition, their completely different distribution promises to shake the peloton, forcing runners and sporting directors to adopt different tactics if they want to take home the yellow jersey Final.
The race begins with an 8-kilometre afternoon prologue, in an individual time trial system, which will use part of the track of the traditional Torres Vedras Circuit, including the ascent to Serra da Vila.
The first stage in line is also the longest, 184 kilometers from Manique do Intendente to Vimeiro, with the finish line installed after the short but demanding climb to the Batalha do Vimeiro monument.
The ten laps of the Torres Vedras Circuit, totaling one hundred kilometers, constitute the sporting menu of the second stage. Moved from the last to the penultimate day of the race, the Circuit may prove to be more decisive than it has been, because no team will be able to afford to block the race, wearing down the workmen until the withdrawal, to prevent the success of attacks in Serra da Vila.
This edition of the traditional Oeste competition will close with a 169 kilometer link between Atouguia da Baleia and the Carvoeira Wind Farm.
This is the queen stage, which includes a first category mountain count at Montejunto and three third category mountain awards, before the ascent to the goal, short but steep, deserving the catalog of second category mountain count .
18 teams will participate, coming from six different countries. The Portuguese blocks stand out, with the four continental teams – Carmim-Prio-Tavira, Efapel-Glassdrive, LA Alumínios-Atarte and Onda-Boavista – and seven club teams – ASC/KTM/Vitória, CC José Maria Nicolau, Liberty Insurance/Fair/Specialized, Louletano/Dunas Douradas, Maia, Mortágua and OFM-Valongo. From abroad come the Spanish Caja Rural and Orbea, the Argentine national team, the Russian Lokophinkx, the British Endura Racing and the Greeks Gios Deyser-Leon Kastro and SP Tableware.
Official Sweaters:
Yellow Jersey: Liberty Seguros
Blue Jersey: Bretescar
Gray Jersey: Joaquim Agostinho
White Jersey: Torres Vedras
Orange Jersey: IPDJ – Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth
1st Joaquim Agostinho Memorial, 14 July
As part of the Torres Vedras International Cycling GP program, the 14st Joaquim Agostinho Memorial will take place on Saturday, July 1th. This is an event under the organizational responsibility of Fullsport, with the collaboration of UDO – União Desportiva do Oeste, the Portuguese Cycling Federation and the Municipality of Torres Vedras.
It consists of a race with two components: ride (61kms) and competition (27kms), in other words, a part of the course is done with controlled and moderate speed, but the last 20% will be in free running, after the Launched Start is given.
The Monument in honor of Joaquim Agostinho will be the starting point (9:15 am) and arrival at 12:30 pm, passing the itinerary through: Casalinhos Alfaiata, Silveira, Brejenjas, Vimeiro, Santa Rita Beach, Santa Cruz, Silveira, S. Pedro Chair, Bonabal, Carvalhal , Torres Vedras.
Comments