Three presidents inaugurate cyclist sculpture on top of Foia

Sculpture by Carlos de Oliveira Correia

Three presidents - the Monchique City Council (Rui André), the Portuguese Cycling Federation (Delmino Pereira) and the Algarve Cycling Association (Ricardo Rodrigues) - this Wednesday inaugurated a sculpture of a cyclist celebrating his arrival at Foia, the highest point in the Serra de Monchique and in the south of Portugal, one of the most sought after places by lovers of nature and adventure sports.

The image of Remco Evenepoel's arrival at the top of the mountain, celebrating the victory charged with effort, was chosen by Rui André, Mayor of Monchique, to mark what will be, from now on, a place of celebration and registration of such an important achievement – ​​reaching the Top of the Algarve. The artist invited to carry out this work was Carlos de Oliveira Correia, an experienced artist with a vast work throughout the region.

Rui André marked this moment with the recognition to the Cycling Federation for its contribution to the affirmation of this destiny of cycling in the country and internationally, by organizing what is one of the most important events on the world cycling calendar.

Local clubs were also recognized for their continued interest in and organization of sporting events in the county. For Rui André, «under the protection of the interest aroused by the holding of these events in recent years and the prominence that the council has been gaining around its great potential, also in this domain, new social and economic dynamics have also emerged in the council, in addition to boosting the increase in sports in this area. The adaptation of the local commerce itself and even the emergence of thematic spaces around this theme are proof of the interest and growth potential of this market segment in the municipality».

 

In recent years, the Serra de Monchique in general and its highest point, Foia, have become a pilgrimage mecca for cycling enthusiasts, who do not want to miss the opportunity to step onto the stage of one of the most exciting stages of the Round the Algarve by Bike, an event that annually summons the best cyclists in the world to climb to the most famous viewpoint in the region, in a mixture of overcoming difficulties, but also of admiration for the landscapes that accompany athletes to the Top of the Algarve.

Foia has been the scene of the most competitive sporting events, with the most important bicycle stars passing through this place, such as Joaquim Agostinho, Alberto Contador, Vitor Gamito, Cândido Barbosa, Amaro Antunes, Joaquim Gomes, José Azevedo, Delmino Pereira, Geraint Thomas, Tadej Pogäcar, Primox Roglic, among others.

But it was in 2020, in the second stage of the Volta ao Algarve by bicycle, almost always decisive in choosing the final winner of this important international cycling event, that, a few meters from the goal, Remco Evenepoel crushed all the competition and won for the first time, not leaving more the yellow jersey and becoming the winner of the race that year.

To demonstrate that the climb to the top of Foia is not within everyone's reach and is also a proof of overcoming obstacles that daily attracts dozens of cyclists to that territory, the Municipality of Monchique decided to pay tribute to this effort and place a sculpture of a cyclist celebrating his arrival to this iconic place.

Cycling professionals are not the only ones who use bicycles to visit Alto da Foia. Many onlookers want to see the steep slopes and unique mountain landscapes up close and many amateur cyclists dare to try to imitate their idols.

The Municipality of Monchique also highlights the impact that promotion through cycling had on the increase and arrival of tourists and practitioners of these sports in the municipality.

«Monchique has been asserting itself not only as synonymous with incomparable landscapes, but also as a reference in the use of this natural environment for the promotion of multiple economic activities, in this case, sporting activity, effort and capacity to diversify the tourist offer capable of stand out from the traditional regional offer. This is also what the Municipality of Monchique has just confirmed by the sculpture placed near the viewpoint and which reminds us that bicycles are, in their own right, another inseparable element of this place», adds the municipality.

 

 



Comments

Ads