Trans Portugal Garmin
The Plains of Alentejo
Agnelo Quelhas / 08.05.2011
It is evident the change the dam had on the region. This whole area is now used for agriculture, tourism, leisure and water sports. It is a brand new Alentejo we find here every year.
The race started at 8:51 am, with the departure of Anne Van Der Broeke. By 10:00 am athletes with no handicap bonus left, towards the Vila Gale resort near the village of Albernoa. Originally there were 143 km to go, but this increased with an unforeseen trail detour just before Santo Amador. The crossing of the Ardila river was impossible this year. The April showers have increased the flow of this river, hence the detour and extra kilometres of the stage.
By then the race was still quite calm with athletes rolling in groups with similar paces. In front was Anne Van Der Broeke, followed by Kate Aardal and Greg McKenna, with Bart Dolfin and Henry Hayes very close.
After these came several groups of 4 or 5 athletes, and closing in a group with the fastest racers so far, with the yellow jersey pushing a peloton of 16 elements with all the winners from the previous stages. But today there were still many surprises to come.
Getting to the road from Pias, at km 76, Kate Aardal, Bart Dolfin and Henry Hayes were now in the front. Next came João Mesquita and João Pedro Simas. The largest group was still united and relentless meanng the athletes that stopped to pick up water were forced to make a huge effort to get back to the group.
On the bridge over the Guadiana river, at km 96, positions remained mostly unaltered, with João Mesquita e João Pedro Simas cutting time to the front. The largest group came about five minutes later having already assimilated some of the others they were pursuing.
Before Salvada, riding along huge fields of sunflowers, João Mesquita joined the front group leaving behind João Pedro Simas. The larger group had already lost some elements that couldn’t stand the frenetic pace imposed.
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