Trans Portugal Race
Day 0 – Getting Ready to Go TransPortugal
Trans Portugal / 12.05.2014
The first day of TransportugalRace 2014 was dedicated to pre-race preparations. Alongside the briefings about the competition rules and some other notes and tips, both the riders and the staff had a busy day preparing all that is needed for a good start. The day rose early for a few of the competitors that could barely hold themselves in the comfortable rooms without seeing the bikes that travelled from their countries to Bragança.
In the meanwhile the official start was given with the accreditation session in which the athletes concluded the formal process for participating in the race. It was an opportunity to get to know the staff members and the main sponsors like Europcar, Mahou or Sponser that gave every participant a piece of merchandising.
Afterwards the athletes started to tune the bikes with their personal specifications before delivering it to the mechanical staff for minor tinkering. These last guys were so busy on satisfying all the requests that by now they are all warmed up for the upcoming days. They will have a lot of work for sure, as climbing hills, crossing streams and going downhill is not only tiring for legs. The bikes are going to be pretty beaten-up as well!
Whilst the riders were in the middle of the bustle, the staff was preparing everything needed so that nothing is left forgotten, starting with the catering, the transportation vehicles, the logistical issues and the essential GPS devices. All this was made in a way that looks easy. Not because the work was not hard but because the smile on everybody's face helped forget the harshness and the setbacks.
To conclude this first half of the day, the convivial lunch gathered all this big family at the table. Afterwards, it was time for the first briefing. The riders were loud but they soon got silent to hear what António Malvar and Tiago Fonseca had to say regarding the rules and tips for a competitive race without any kind of incidents.
Briefing
Among the riders, we have to stand out the fact that this edition is enriched with two new nationalities that add up to the already vast international array of the race. We have for the first time riders from Irelend (Niall Duncan) and from Argentina (Pablo Rodriguez).
The enthusiasm lived on this kind of Babel on bike wheels and GPS grew as the starting hour approached. There was a lot of talking about previous experiences, the little doubts were clarified, the weather forecast is fine and all the support structures are assembled. In short, the only thing missing is the starting time that is going to be at 7h38 for the first rider – due to the handicap system – although the official starting time is 9h00.
The finishing line is in Freixo de Espada à Cinta on a stage of 142 km with an overall accumulated climbing of 2648m+.
Bragança was once more the TransportugalRace home, warmly welcoming everybody of the entourage. On this Portuguese region there is a second mother tongue, called Mirandês and it’s in this language that this beautiful city of Trás-os-Monte says farewell: ‘Buona biaige i ua grande abintura’, meaning ‘Good ride and a great adventure’. The Mirandês is also spoken in Freixo de Espada à Cinta and the riders are going the hear the following on their arrival: ‘Bienbenido la Frezno de Spada a la Cinta!’ (Welcome to Freixo de Espada à Cinta)
Motivation
At the end of the this day, just before the competition starts, there are two stories that are perfect examples of the enthusiastic environment in the race. The first one is somewhat sad because João Almeida, that was supposed to be working with the staff, couldn’t make it due to a last minute injury. However he sent a video - it can be seen on our Facebook – that was a motivational booster for every one of the entourage.
The second one is happier. João Aragão, a mechanic and staff member, once more celebrated his birthday during one edition of TransportugalRace, that clearly shows his dedication and love for the bicycles world. Our homage to these two examples!
Starting today, this newsletter will be posted on a daily basis, but all the information, curiosities, little stories and photos will be posted on the Facebook of TransportugalRace 2014. The competition can also be followed in real time by following the map link on the official webpage.
The first day of TransportugalRace 2014 was dedicated to pre-race preparations. Alongside the briefings about the competition rules and some other notes and tips, both the riders and the staff had a busy day preparing all that is needed for a good start. The day rose early for a few of the competitors that could barely hold themselves in the comfortable rooms without seeing the bikes that travelled from their countries to Bragança.
In the meanwhile the official start was given with the accreditation session in which the athletes concluded the formal process for participating in the race. It was an opportunity to get to know the staff members and the main sponsors like Europcar, Mahou or Sponser that gave every participant a piece of merchandising.
Afterwards the athletes started to tune the bikes with their personal specifications before delivering it to the mechanical staff for minor tinkering. These last guys were so busy on satisfying all the requests that by now they are all warmed up for the upcoming days. They will have a lot of work for sure, as climbing hills, crossing streams and going downhill is not only tiring for legs. The bikes are going to be pretty beaten-up as well!
Whilst the riders were in the middle of the bustle, the staff was preparing everything needed so that nothing is left forgotten, starting with the catering, the transportation vehicles, the logistical issues and the essential GPS devices. All this was made in a way that looks easy. Not because the work was not hard but because the smile on everybody's face helped forget the harshness and the setbacks.
To conclude this first half of the day, the convivial lunch gathered all this big family at the table. Afterwards, it was time for the first briefing. The riders were loud but they soon got silent to hear what António Malvar and Tiago Fonseca had to say regarding the rules and tips for a competitive race without any kind of incidents.
Briefing
Among the riders, we have to stand out the fact that this edition is enriched with two new nationalities that add up to the already vast international array of the race. We have for the first time riders from Irelend (Niall Duncan) and from Argentina (Pablo Rodriguez).
The enthusiasm lived on this kind of Babel on bike wheels and GPS grew as the starting hour approached. There was a lot of talking about previous experiences, the little doubts were clarified, the weather forecast is fine and all the support structures are assembled. In short, the only thing missing is the starting time that is going to be at 7h38 for the first rider – due to the handicap system – although the official starting time is 9h00.
The finishing line is in Freixo de Espada à Cinta on a stage of 142 km with an overall accumulated climbing of 2648m+.
Bragança was once more the TransportugalRace home, warmly welcoming everybody of the entourage. On this Portuguese region there is a second mother tongue, called Mirandês and it’s in this language that this beautiful city of Trás-os-Monte says farewell: ‘Buona biaige i ua grande abintura’, meaning ‘Good ride and a great adventure’. The Mirandês is also spoken in Freixo de Espada à Cinta and the riders are going the hear the following on their arrival: ‘Bienbenido la Frezno de Spada a la Cinta!’ (Welcome to Freixo de Espada à Cinta)
Motivation
At the end of the this day, just before the competition starts, there are two stories that are perfect examples of the enthusiastic environment in the race. The first one is somewhat sad because João Almeida, that was supposed to be working with the staff, couldn’t make it due to a last minute injury. However he sent a video - it can be seen on our Facebook – that was a motivational booster for every one of the entourage.
The second one is happier. João Aragão, a mechanic and staff member, once more celebrated his birthday during one edition of TransportugalRace, that clearly shows his dedication and love for the bicycles world. Our homage to these two examples!
Starting today, this newsletter will be posted on a daily basis, but all the information, curiosities, little stories and photos will be posted on the Facebook of TransportugalRace 2014. The competition can also be followed in real time by following the map link on the official webpage.
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