The Algarve cyclist João Rodrigues, from W52-FC Porto, won the Volta ao Alentejo, held today in Castelo de Vide, and won the Yellow Jersey, with only one stage left to the end of the race.
With regard to the two Algarve teams in the competition, Vicente de Mateos, from Louletano/Aviludo, did not get better than a 23rd place in the first sector and not even the 6th position in the time trial prevented a strong drop in the overall standings, from 3rd to 10th place .
Already Alejandro Marque, from Sporting/Tavira, who in the first sector was 7th, but with the same time as Higuita, and secured the 12th best time in the time trial, is now 7th overall.
On a day when the stage was played in two sectors, one completed in the morning and connecting Ponte de Sor and Portalegre (74,3 kilometers) and the 8,4 kilometer time trial, played in the afternoon, the Yellow Jersey changed owners two times.
At the end of the first sector, won by the Colombian Sergio Higuita (Equipo Euskadi), Luís Mendonça (Rádio Popular-Boavista) assumed the command of the individual general.
The initial stage was marked by an attempt to escape, which ended before the climb to Cabeço de Mouro, where the decisive moves took place, with a view to the fight for the yellow jersey. Despite the moves, it was a group of new runners who discussed the triumph in the stage.
Still, the New Zealand champion, James Fouche (Team Wiggins LeCol), ended up benefiting from the initiative, adding the necessary points to conquer the title of king of climbers.
Who also came out to win was Luís Mendonça, who ended up in the front group and rose to 1st overall. But the Amarela had to remain in his possession for a short time, taking into account that hours later, João Rodrigues was three seconds faster than the cyclist from Rádio Popular-Boavista and claimed the first position in the classification.
The Volta ao Alentejo ends this Sunday, taking the caravan from Portalegre to Évora, on a journey of 152 kilometers, with a predictable arrival to the sprint, in a technically demanding arrival, which, at times, provokes courteous of time.
«Given the characteristics of the end of the stage and the few differences between the best, the fight for the yellow jersey remains open until the final meters of this competition. Luís Mendonça, aspiring to the individual general, has, for now, command of the points. Norwegian Tobias Foss (Uno-X Norwegian Development Team) is the best young man and James Fouche (Team Wiggins LeCol) is the king of climbers. By teams sends the W52-FC Porto», according to the Portuguese Cycling Federation.
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