Trans Portugal Race

Memories of Unhais

Transportugal / 18.05.2014

The penultimate stage of Transportugal Race 2014 took place under an intense heat that increased even more the difficulty of the route. Leaving the plain country behind, the steep climbs of Algarve's mountain range brought back memories of the stage 3 between Guarda and Unhais da Serra. Obviously, this was the best that could have happened to the climbers that felt at home again. José Silva won once more – his seventh win – and Kate Aardal finished second place followed by the tireless Malcolm Bruton that is pretty close to finish in third place of the overall classification.

Today’s stage started a little like the one before, rolling on plain country, but soon after Monte da Rocha dam the steep climbs with no end in sight made their appearance. Each turn hid one more! But the athletes were very strong minded and got to the end of them all.

The highlight of the stage was the outstanding landscape of the mountain range between Alentejo and Algarve with beautiful holmoaks, arbutus and local fauna. However, only a few athletes may have noticed the landscape, as most were concentrated on getting to the top. The mountain of Espinhaço de Cão, was a talking theme for everybody at the end. It was named like «that climb of the eucalyptus with no end in sight»!

Eduardo's Example

In the village of Santa Clara, where could be found one of the several cafés for the athletes to refill, they really felt the heat of noon, at the sun pinnacle. If they were riding at a high pace until here, they had to rethink it and slow down.

A little before this area, Eduardo Teixeira started to feel some difficulties on his bike transmission, that simply blocked its rear wheel. However, the athlete never thought about quitting the stage or the race, forgoing the chance to become a Transportugal Race Finisher. Therefore, he run side by side with the bike for about 30 kilometers, just riding it on the downhills, until he could find a solution that allowed him to cross the finish line. It’s another example of courage, tenacity and will power that characterize the participants of this competition. 

Another example of this spirit are the veterans Paul-Hervé Theunissen and Greg McKennis. The north-American and de Belgium, with 61 and 58 years respectively, kept a steady pace throughout all the stages. They climb, descend and roll like ‘diesel engines’, allowing them to overcome all the problems with the tranquillity won by experience. From this duo, we have to highlight the fact that Greg McKennis – always in good mood, whether he is leaving almost at dawn or after a stage with more than 100 kilometers – accomplished his 44th stage without quitting any of them. It is a remarkable achievement for a man of any age. However, age is just a number that makes no sense if we consider all the challenges accomplished by him. 

Family Company

In order for the athletes to feel supported during the stages and in the between, even if penalized, we have to mention the excellent job made by the mechanical team. José Carlos, João Aragão and Ricardo Machado. They spare nothing in order to make sure the bikes are perfectly tuned for every stage, and always find the best solutions so that the athletes can continue the race given any eventuality. They daily show all their experience and ability to innovate with a quick answer on the field.

Now that the end of the competition is near, more and more the athletes are enjoying the pleasure of their families company. That’s the case of Daniel Hoedemaekers, João Margato Pereira, Alexandre Branco, Ricardo Figueira, Gerald Mendes, Miguel Rola, Nuno Silva, Kate Aardal, Robert Bleeker, Eduardo Teixeira, Franck Guillaumin, Nuno Jorge, Eduardo Bispo, Joris Ermens e Tara Giess. The last arrived as athlete but she had to forgo that idea!

The ninth and final stage of Transportugal Race 2014 will cover a distance of 99 kilometers between Monchique and Sagres with an overall accumulated climbing of 1302m+. Despite the fact that the top places are pretty much decided, bellow in the overall classification there are still many fights for a better position. Beyond this competition, there is a feeling that reaches everyone in the race: to end and become a Finisher of Transportugal Race.

In Sagres, the Finishers will be so pleased that will probably not care about the classifications. Of course, this is without diminishing the value of those that since stage one are fighting and cycling at a high and incredible pace!

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