Trans Portugal Race

New Records and Hot Temperatures

News Release / 15.05.2014

The heat and the wind were the brand marks of the fifth stage of TransportugalRace 2014 that covered a distance of 144 kilometers with an overall accumulated climb of 2186m+ between Termas de Monfortinho and Castelo de Vide. The long plains from Alentejo made a debut on this year's edition and the athletes also took advantage of that, together with the back wind, overcoming their limits once more. And the outcome of this was another best time ever for the stage.

The Portuguese cyclist José Silva gave his maximum (and a bit more) and broke the record of the fifth stage with 8m44s less than the former best time. But Kate Aardal and Erik Defillet, second and third respectively, also broke the former record. All these guys are riding at an incredible high pace on every stage.

José Silva rode more than half the race chasing Kater Aardal and Erik Defillet, after riding side by side with Luís Cordeiro and Malcolm Bruton for about 70 kilometers. It was an overwhelming effort for the Portuguese rider, that wasn’t first in any of the check-points. He caught the leading duo, Aardal and Defillet, only on the uphill towards Castelo de Vide, about one kilometer from the finish line. At the end, completely exhausted, José Silva confessed that he has made a greater effort than he is used to in order to catch Kate and Erik.

Entering Plain Country

It was also a stage highlighted by the tactical movements made by the Norwich and Belgium riders. They were trying to put an end to José Silva’s hegemony on this competition. And they almost did it, since they were only ‘caught’ on the last kilometer. It was an almost dramatic ending! But, after finishing the stage, everybody recognized quality in each other.

On the fifth stage of Transportugal the riders left the granitic landscape of Beira Baixa and entered the plain lands of Alentejo with the company of the Tagus river that cuts Portugal in half. And this same river is the leading actor of one of the most breathtaking landscapes in our country. When flowing through Vila Velha de Ródão it literally rips apart one mountain to continue its way towards Lisbon and the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The Ródão Gates are a natural monument, being one of the most beautiful landscapes in Portugal. Nobody can be indifferent when passing through here.

Aristides De Sousa Mendes

TransportugalRace crosses Portugal but also the world through its competitors and by accident, like so many chances in life, we have the privilege to receive a very special rider. Gerald Mendes, an unsuspected Canadian with a Portuguese surname, happens to be grandson of Aristides de Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese consul in Paris that saved hundreds of Jews during World War II by granting them Portuguese visas so they could escape. He made all this on personal expenses, going against direct orders of the Portuguese dictator at the time, Salazar. Gerald is a modest man that doesn’t want any kind of recognition because of his grandfather. However, the Transportugal Race team have to strongly highlight the nobility and humanity of Aristides de Sousa Mendes.

Still in a positive tone, Marco Chagas, three times winner of the Portuguese Tour and competitor in Transportugal Race 2013, took the chance to visit the entourage of this year’s edition and chat a little with the athletes and friends. He made a promise in first hand: “I’ve to get back in Transportugal Race. It’s a unique competition!”

Warm Weather

The sixth stage of Transportugal will cover a distance of 167 kilometers with an overall accumulated climb of 1554m+ linking Castelo de Vide to Évora. The weather is going to be warm and dry with light wind. It’s the first stage completely in Alentejo with rolling tracks but with two harsh climbs right at the beginning.

You can follow the Transportugal Race 2014 in real time here.

The photo galeries of Pedro Cardoso and Agnelo Quelhas are a way of living a bit of the race, as well the video.

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