Trans Portugal Race

To The Finish at Sagres

Transportugal / 19.05.2014

The ultimate stage of Transportugal race 2014 brought the pack towards the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean after riding for more than a thousand kilometers, going up and down through the ridges, hills and mountains of the Portuguese inland. It was another epic adventure connecting the north to the south. We saw the contrast between the cold winds of the mountain and the mild and warm weather of the south. Here, the land seems to enter into the ocean, reminding us all that the journey isn’t over. There is more to travel in 2015!

Kate Aardal was the first to cross the line in Sagres after 99 kilometers from Monchique. She won her second stage of the nine, holding a strong grip on her second place in the overall classification. José Silva took the silver place but he was the gold winner of the competition. He rode like nobody at a very high pace, showing that he is in great shape. He is an example to follow! In third place arrived Malcolm Bruton. He’s been improving for the past years and in this edition he made it to the final podium for the first time. Will he win in 2015?

Diving Into The Ocean

The ninth stage of the competition was also highlighted by the relaxed mood of the athletes, since almost everyone had already achieved their goals. Therefore, many of them made all the way towards the eastern point of Europe’s mainland while enjoying the outstanding coastal landscape that one can see from the cliffs. It was a very enjoyable, intimate and personal feeling even though it was shared with all the other athletes. At the end of the stage the sense of comradeship was almost palpable.

The stage was like a moment of catharsis with its higher moment enjoyed at the Martinhal beach. A well-deserved dive into the blue waters of the ocean, already a tradition in Transportugal Race 2014, was the prize after 1117 kilometers with approximately 18000m+ of overall accumulated climbing. This is a kind of a ritual for these warriors of climbs, descents and trails! These guys made a dream come true. They are heroes! The harshness that characterizes the route is only possible to overcome by being in great shape, but also with a remarkable will power and a sacrifice spirit.  

There are heroic examples in all editions of Transportugal Race and this one was no exception. We have to highlight Daniel Hoedemaekers that finished the competition with a severe knee injury that kept him from his best in the last stages. This was what he said before the last stage: "After finishing Transportugal Race, my leg can be cut off, but I’ll take everything until I’m a Finisher!"

And he made it! Another example of this spirit was given by Eduardo Teixeira that walked side by side with his bicycle for about 30 kilometers until he could ride again. Luís Cordeiro always trying to climb another place in the classification suffered a lot. And the final example is given by João Pereira, with his low profile. He kept on moving till the end. These few examples clearly show what everybody fought in this competition!

Great Massages

And so that the aches and pains were not as strong, the athletes could rely on the magnificent massage service. The ones who paid for this premium service enjoyed it and it was well spent money. After each stage the athletes got a massage and sometimes they screamed very loud, since the masseurs Rui, Vanessa, Mila and Maria made their best so that they could be fit for the next stage. At the end of the sessions everybody was cheerful and ready to ride again.

After another edition of Transportugal Race, we have to say a kind word to everybody that somehow helped us to organize and put on the ground another adventure through Portugal. Therefore, thank you to Europcar, Mahou, Sponser, H2OTEL, Águas do  Vimeiro, EVOC and Geonatlife. We would like also to thanks to the Municipality of Freixo de Espada à Cinta that helped us provide only the best for our athletes.

We hope to see you all next year in Transportugal 2015. The climbs are waiting!

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