Trans Portugal 2010 Entries Open Oct. 1st

Rob Howard / 25.09.2009

We are only a few days away from October 1st, the date when entries open for the 2010 Garmin TransPortugal mountain bike race. It's an incredibly popular race and with only 60 spots available is likely to oversubscribed by October 2nd!

The entry form will become available on-line at 00:00h GMT on October 1st in the race web site www.trans-portugal.com and this is the only way to enter. The entry form will be removed from the web site as soon as there are 90 racers' registrations, with the last 30 automatically forming waiting list.

During the long summer days the organizing team have already started working on the route of the 3 new stages that will take the race to Estrela, the high mountains of the centre of Portugal. The 3rd stage for 2010 looks very promising with superb and breathtaking landscapes and steep long climbs to take the riders to close to 2000m in altitude.

Right at the start of stage 3 coming out of Guarda, the highest town in Portugal, there is this really steep trail, going higher still, to a high ridge crowded with wind generators. On one side there are magnificent views of the town with its majestic cathedral and castle tower, and on the other side riders can look into the Mondego valley. The Mondego is the biggest river in continental Portugal. However, the most impressive and frightening views are ahead of the riders where they can see the whole of the Estrela mountain range ... which is where they are heading.

From here the route goes down to the Mongedo valley on a roman cobble track called "CalÃ§ada Romana de Tintinolho" where concentration and skills are required to take the riders down safely. Once down there by the river the look of Estrela is even more majestic and overwhelming.

You can find more info about the race at www.trans-portugal.com, and more on the tour at www.travessiadeportugal.com