The national downhill champion (DHI), Francisco Pardal, won this Sunday, in an emotional way, the second competition of the Portuguese Cup by DHI Vodafone, in São Brás de Alportel.
The Cerro do Botelho track witnessed an exciting duel between the two best Portuguese DHI specialists. Emanuel Pombo (Liberty Seguros/meo/Ciclomadeira) was the fastest in the qualifying heat and started as favorite for the final.
However, in the decisive descent, Francisco Pardal was the fastest, covering the 1200 meters of descent in 2m16,610s, beating Pombo by just 29 thousandths of a second. The third place was João Góis (Penacova DH/UD Lorvanense), 1,43 seconds behind the winner.
In the absence of the British runners who dominated the first stage of the Portuguese Cup of DHI Vodafone, today's triumph allowed Francisco Pardal to take first place in the general classification in the elite category.
Ana Costa (Mel de Cana/Ribeiro Seco) won the elite women's competition, relegating to the remaining podium positions, in that order, Leonor Bandeira and Madalena Bandeira, both from LCM Team Bandeira. Favorite Filipa Peres (Liberty Seguros/meo/Ciclomadeira) did not compete in the final, after dropping out of qualifying due to a crash.
The German Silas Grandy, cyclist of the team that races at home, MCFXdream/Municipality of S. Brás), had a high level performance, reaching the seventh best absolute record, which earned him the outstanding triumph among the juniors, with 3,054 seconds of advantage over the closest opponent, Rafael Sousa (MS Mad/Team Racing Portugal).
The third was Francisco Salgado (AD Jorge Antunes / Bike Zone), at 13,431 seconds. Grandy reinforced the lead in the Portuguese Cup.
Diogo Pinto (RG/Centro Óptico de Fafe) was the best cadet, Hélder Padilha won in masters 30, Rui Cruz (MCF/Xdream/Municipality of São Brás) beat the remaining masters 40 and José Salgueiro (MCF/Xdream/Municipality of São Paulo) Brás) stood out among the 50 masters.
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