TransPortugal Garmin Bike Race
Stage 3 | Alfaiates - Ladoeiro
Louize Hill/Agnelo Quelhas / 03.06.2009
The forecast drop in temperatures may have happened by the coast, but as the racers got ready this morning in Alfaiates it was clear it hadn\'t happened here. It was going to be another hot day. A few riders assessed their fatigue levels, and what the day promised and decided to take a rest day. The remaining riders set off into the hot, dry heat and the hot wind some found a blessing, and others cursed.The stage starts by crossing the Natural Park of the Serra de Malcata, home to the elusive and endangered Iberian Linx. This is one of the most remote areas of Portugal,, and access is difficult. Unfortunately the organisation had to over come this difficulty when Pedro Pinheiro fell, breaking his collar bone and hand. In a descent he hit a ridge in the track which stopped his bike, but not him. He flew straight over the handlebars, with no time to react and landed on his upper body. Later, when Louize needed to identify his helmet from a pile, there was no doubt which one it was, it was all dented and broken.
The Malcata is an area of steep hills and low vegetation. It is extremely rocky, and several weeks of hot dry weather had baked the ground, leaving the course loose, dusty and treacherous. Ricardo Melo said “it was like riding on marbles�, and controlling the bike was extremely tough. Several riders fell, and there were a lot of cuts and scratches by the end of the stage. João Marques was in the worst state and needed medical treatment at the end of the stage. Once again the there was a real case of fairplay and sportsmanship amongst the participants of the TransPortugal Garmin, many of whom stopped to help and/or stay with those racers who fell.
The organisers set up an exceptional water point at the exit of the Malcata, which was welcomed by everyone – both to top up camelbaks, and also to pour over their heads to try to cool down before the steep climbs up the Serra de Ramilo and then to Monsanto.See All Event Posts
