Spanish cyclist Jesus del Pino, from the Aviludo-Louletano-Loulé Concelho formation, was today the best “Algarvian” in the 9th and penultimate stage of the 85th edition of the Tour of Portugal on bicycle, in the difficult 170,8 km ride that connected to Maia at the top of Senhora da Graça, in Mondim de Basto.
Del Pino, who seemed to have the legs to do more, finished the stage in 7th place (2.02 behind the winner), having risen to 5th position overall, with 1:29 more than the new leader, who is now the Russian Artem Nich (Sabgal/Anicolor).
This Saturday's stage was won by Puerto Rican Abner González, from Efapel. The Portuguese Eulálio Afonso, who was wearing the yellow jersey, couldn't handle the strong pace of the climb and only finished in 22nd place, eventually giving up the lead to Artem Nich, who was second in the stage.
Eulálio, who had been leading the general classification since climbing the Tower, fell to sixth place, 1.50 minutes behind the new yellow jersey, who has a 37 second advantage over Gonçalo Leaça (Credibom-LA Alumínios-MarcosCar), second classified, 49 over González, third, and 53 over the Swiss Colin Stüssi (Vorarlberg), winner of 2023 and now fourth.
There is another cyclist from an Algarve team in the top 10 of the race that ended in Senhora da Graça: the Portuguese Diogo Barbosa, from AP Hotels & Resorts-Tavira-SC Farense.
In what is always a spectacular stage, the Tour had a special spectator: Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, who followed the 9th stage in the car of race director Joaquim Gomes.
The 85th edition of the Volta a Portugal by bicycle ends on Sunday with the 10th stage, a 26,6-kilometer individual time trial in Viseu.
Classifications
Stage
1st-Abner Gonzalez/PTR (Efapel Cycling)-4h25'10", 2nd-Artem Nych/RUS (Sabgal/Anicolor) at 6", 3rd- David Delgado/ESP (Burgos/BH) at 22", 4th- Jaume Guardeño /ESP (Caja Rural/Seguros RGA) at 29” and 5º- Gonçalo Leaça/POR (Credibom/LA Alumínios/Marcos Car) at 51”
General
1st-Artem Nych/RUS (Sabgal/Anicolor)-37h29'09”, 2nd-Gonçalo Leaça/POR (Credibom/LA Alumínios/Marcos Car) at 37”, 3rd-Colin Stussi/SUI (Team Vorarlberg) at 53”, 4th-Jesus del Pino/ESP (Aviludo/Louletano/Loulé Concelhgo) at 1'29”.
Teams: Euskaltel/Euskadi
Spots: German Tivani/ARG (Aviludo/Louletano/Loulé Concelho)
Mountain: Luis Angel Mate/ESP (Euskaltel/Euskadi)
Juventus: Jaume Guardeño/ESP (Caja Rural/Seguros RGA)
Tomorrow's Stage
10th Stage - CRI: Viseu (1st runner departure 14:30 pm) - Viseu (departure of the last runner 16:50 pm) – 26,6 kms
SYMBOLS OF DISTINCTION of the 85th Volta a Portugal Mainland
Individual General Classification- Continente Yellow Sweater
Point Classification- Galp Orange Sweater
Mountain Classification- Carclasse Blue Sweater
Youth Classification- Placard White Shirt
“Best Portuguese Award”- Santa Casa Games
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