The city of Albufeira will host the goal of the 17th edition of Portugal de Lés-a-Lés. From the 7th to the 9th of June, the Europe's largest motorbike-tourist marathon will link the land where Fernão de Magalhães was born to Praia dos Pescadores, in Albufeira. Around 1400 motorcyclists are expected, who in three days will cross nearly 30 municipalities over a length of 1000 kilometers.
This year, the tourist competition links Sabrosa to Albufeira, passing through Castelo Branco. The Algarve city has already been the scene of the arrival of Lés-a-Lés, in 2003, at its 5th edition, in which the caravan left Chaves, stayed overnight in Covilhã, and then completed the second stage to Albufeira.
Thus, the city once again hosts the final stage and the final stand of the race, after a journey of about 500 kilometers marked by the Alentejo landscapes. At the end, motorcyclists will have the opportunity to enjoy the view of the sea from the Pau da Bandeira viewpoint and, from 18 pm onwards, they will start arriving at Praça dos Pescadores, with the motorcycles on display in this place while travelers recover strength for a dinner offered by the Municipality of Albufeira.
Crossing the country will be done «in the old way», without using highways, Main or Secondary Itineraries, opting for the scenic National and Municipal Roads and even some unpaved roads, which «allow you to discover picturesque and unique landscapes».
According to António Manuel Francisto, president of the Motor-tourism Commission of the Portuguese Motorcycling Federation, «the average speed is less than 50 kilometers per hour».
Each team comprises two people and, since 1999, the competition does not include competitions, or classifications, «remaining registered in people's memories», both participants and residents of the visited locations, according to the leader.
“It's always a party where the caravan circulates, with motorbikes passing by for about five hours”, he concludes.
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