Garmin TransPortugal Mountain Bike Race
Stage 8 - from mountain to ocean
Louize Hill/Agnelo Quelhas / 09.06.2008
This is the most stunning stage, the first half is through an isolated narrow valley, with occasional hamlets and houses scattered here and there across the countryside. As soon as we approach the coast things change. The route rides along the south west coast, which is part of the South West Vincentina Coast Natural Park, this is characterised by rocky cliffs and sandy bays, with deep valleys cut into the cliffs, where streams have eroded their way through out the years. Some of these valleys are particularly steep.
The network of pathways on the cliff tops has mainly been created by fishermen, but are now also used by walkers and mountain bikers. These single tracks are at times perched precariously above the cliff face, and in the evening before Antonio warned the racers, it they were not 100% confident, then they should walk, as a fall here would have serious consequences. Even if the riders were not convinced during the briefing when they got to the trails most of them heeded Antonio's advice.
There is one particularly short steep descent of more than 30% inclination at about 63 km. Although this could be bypassed, most people took the descent – and walked it! Reimert and Jones were climbing the opposite hill when Paulo Cotrim reached the descent. They decided to stop to watch, to see how he rode it, and witnessed his tumble. He was not the only one to fall here, and once again there was a fair number of scrapes and scratches at the finishing line. Jos Engelen maintained his tradition of always falling on the last day for every stage race he rides. Luckily the damage was superficial.
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