Manuel Cardoso, David Livramento, João Pereira, Henrique Casimiro, Daniel Mestre, Rafael Reis, and Amaro Antunes, as well as the Angolans Igor Silva and Dário António, are part of the Luso-Angolan formation of Banco BIC/Carmim/Tavira which, between 30 July and August 10th will play another edition of the Volta a Portugal.
The competition opens with a prologue of 6,8 kilometers in Fafe. Altogether there will be 1.613,4 kilometers spread over 11 days, with the final party in Lisbon.
Throughout the competition, several decisive moments are foreseen. The first takes place right on the second online stage, with the Gondomar/Braga link, where there is a 2nd category mountain prize, 8 kilometers from the finish.
However, before the finish, the cyclists still find two other mountain prizes, one for 3rd and one for 2nd category.
The third journey will also be an arduous task for the athletes. The route starts in Viana do Castelo and has the goal installed in Montalegre (Serra do Larouco), coinciding with a 1st category mountain prize.
Very selective, as always, will be the mythical climb to Senhora da Graça, in Mondim de Basto, with a 1st category mountain count, which is the backdrop for the end of the fourth round.
The fifth stage in a row that starts in Alvarenga and ends in Santo Tirso, at the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, is another key moment, with the goal installed in a 2nd category mountain prize.
Vidal Fitas: on arrivals to the sprint, our bet is obviously Manuel Cardoso
The seventh stage, starting in Belmonte and ending in Serra da Estrela, is, as usual, one of the most important occasions in this competition, as the premier stage culminates in a mountain of special category. Equally decisive will be the 28,9 km CRI between Oleiros and Sertã.
For Vidal Fitas, sports director at Banco BIC/Carmim/Tavira, there are three relevant aspects regarding the team's performance: “on arrivals to the sprint, our bet is obviously Manuel Cardoso, a specialist in this type of stage”.
On the other hand, “this group is made up of some young athletes, and only now will we realize the fruits that will result from the preparation training they have been carrying out”.
Regarding the participation of Angolan athletes, the team mentor stresses that “this is another step to be taken compared to last year in this cooperation between the Portuguese and Angolan teams”.
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