Marta Carvalho (Extremosul/Hotel Alísios/Cenmais) won the sprint, this Saturday, in Benavente, the second stage of the 1st Under-19 Women's Tour of Portugal, but Mariana Líbano (Velo Performance/JS Campinense), who finished in second position, kept the yellow jersey. Rita Tanganho (Maiatos/5Quinas/Municipality of Albufeira/CDASJ) closed the top three.
This Saturday's stage of the 1st Volta a Portugal Feminina Sub-19 linked Samora Correia to Benavente, in a course of 56,4 kilometres. The peloton remained compact during most of the race, always under the watchful eye of the leader of the general classification, Mariana Líbano (Velo Performance / JS Campinense), and the best cadet in the general, Daniela Simão (Extremosul / Hotel Alísios / Cenmais) .
With eight kilometers to go, an attack came from Mariana Líbano, Daniela Simão and Marta Carvalho (Extremosul/Hotel Alísios/Cenmais). The trio still gained a few seconds of advantage, but they would eventually be reached four kilometers from the finish line.
The victory would be discussed in the sprint, between Mariana Líbano and Marta Carvalho, who stood out in relation to the peloton in the final meters. Marta Carvalho was the winner, managing to surpass Mariana Líbano, who finished in second place.
The third place went to cadet Rita Tanganho (Maiatos/5Quinas/Municipality of Albufeira/CDASJ).
Marta Carvalho spoke about the victory won. “During the race there were a few starts at the flying lines, but I always tried to put myself in a good position so that I could respond if necessary. In the end, it was all about pushing the sprint. I dedicate the victory to my team and my family who came to support me here. I am very happy to have won.”
With this result, Mariana Líbano remains the leader of the general, mountain and points. In the general classification, she leads with 32 seconds over Daniela Simão and 35 seconds over Marta Carvalho, third overall. Daniela Simão wears the white shirt, best cadet.
Mariana Líbano now wears three shirts, which she tried her best to defend this Saturday.
“The team wanted to win as many jerseys as possible. We got the green, the blue and keep the yellow. This was one of the team's goals, regardless of which runner would get the jerseys. I managed to stay myself and I'm very happy about it. I saw this arrival as an opportunity to keep the yellow card and possibly buy some time, as well as defend the points jersey.”
The last stage of the race will leave A-dos-Francos towards Caldas da Rainha, on a 55,6 kilometer route.
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