Mariana Líbano (Velo Performance/JS Campinense) won the 1st Tour of Portugal Women's Sub-19, which ended this Sunday, August 21st. The “Algarvian” athlete was second in the stage, but managed to keep the yellow jersey.
In front of him, Marta Carvalho (Extremosul/Hotel Alísios/Cenmais) arrived.
The second and final stage of the 1st Tour of Portugal Women's U-19 covered a total of 55,6 kilometers, taking the runners from A-dos-Francos, João Almeida's birthplace, to Caldas da Rainha.
The escape of the day took place after the second mountain prize, placed in Foz do Arelho, at kilometer 33,3. Among the fugitives were the leader of the individual general, Mariana Líbano and Beatriz Guerra (Velo Performance/JS Campinense), Daniela Simão and Marta Carvalho (Extremosul/Hotel Alísios/Cenmais) and Emília Baía (Korpo Activo/Penacova).
By the end of the stage, the peloton would end up splitting in two, leaving the five riders at the head of the race with a 30-second advantage over the first intermediate group and about a minute ahead of the second.
Arriving at the final stretch, Marta Carvalho stood out again and was the strongest in the sprint, with Mariana Líbano passing the finish line in second position. Beatriz Guerra was the third classified and the best cadet in the stage.
“I tried never to lose sight of the peloton and always respond well to attacks. When we managed to form a breakout, in which we were five runners, we gained some advantage over the pack and came that way until the end. I didn't expect to discuss the victory again, because I had no idea what the stage would be like. When I realized that I had the chance to win, I gave my all and I'm very happy to have achieved another victory", stated Marta Carvalho.
With the second place in this last stage, Mariana Líbano secured the yellow jersey and also the green jersey, from the points.
“I am very proud to have won this race. I wanted to win the race from day one and luckily we managed to hold on to the yellow one until the end. We always defend the leadership very well and for that I have to thank my team a lot, which helped me whenever I needed it, worked hard and this shirt belongs to all of us», said the athlete from the Algarve.
Daniela Simão was second in the overall final, 32 seconds behind Mariana Líbano, also earning the white jersey, for best cadet in the race. Marta Carvalho closed the final podium, in third position, 35 seconds behind the winner. The mountain sweater was for Beatriz
Guerra and Extremosul/Hotel Alísios/Cenmais was the best team.
«The white jersey was my main objective from the first day, where I managed to conquer the leadership of this classification in the time trial, which is a discipline in which I feel comfortable. My goal for the rest of the stages was to keep the white and I'm very happy to have managed to do it», revealed Daniela Simão.
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