Cyclist Raquel Queirós from the Algarve team Velo Performance/JS Campinense conquered this Sunday, in Lisbon, European Capital of Sport 2021, the first edition of the Volta a Portugal Feminina Cofidis.
The last stage, 94,7 kilometers between Caldas da Rainha and the capital, was won by Lucy Lee (Team LDN/Brother UK). The tirade was attacked early on, due to the ambition of the British Team LDN/Brother UK to recover the Yellow Jersey Lisbon European Capital of
Sports, which they lost the day before to Raquel Queirós.
However, the Vila-Condense runner of the Loulé team, supported by the mixed team formed by Clube BTT de Matosinhos and by Velo Perfomance/JS Campinense resisted the attacks, always marking Danielle Shrosbree's wheel.
The attacks reduced the peloton, but the best ones always remained together, which allowed a dispute to the sprint, in the riverside of Lisbon. The UK team failed to break through the general, but won another stage by Lucy Lee, who crossed at the head of the pack, after 2h55m54s of race.
Lucia García and Laura Rodríguez, both from the Catalonia team, occupied the immediate positions.
Vera Vilaça, also from an Algarve team, Extrememosul/Hotel Alísios/Cenmais, was sixth in Lisbon and received the Jogos Santa Casa Award for the best Portuguese in the stage.
Raquel Queirós was the seventh to cross the finish line, with the same time as the winner, and made history by winning the first Women's Tour of Portugal Cofidis.
The Velo Performance/JS Campinense cyclist completed the four stages with 7:28:52, 35 seconds less than junior Sofia Gomes (Vesam/Blok-Vilanonvense Cycling Girls) and 48 seconds less than Catalan Iris Gómez, second and third, respectively.
“I feel extremely proud. I never imagined I could win this race. I came here not knowing what my body could give, but obviously I am very, very, very happy to take the yellow shirt home. Today's stage was very tough, but I had the help of my colleague Mariana [Lebanon] and other Portuguese runners, who joined together to guarantee a national victory. I have to thank
all the girls who helped me win this race», recognizes Raquel Queirós.
Danielle Shrosbree won the Cofidis Red Jersey, from the points, and the Polisport Blue Jersey, from the mountain. Sofia Gomes won the IPDJ White Jersey, symbol of the best junior in competition.
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