Trans Portugal Garmin
The Hills of The Algarve
Agnelo Quelhas / 08.05.2011
At km 27 the usual athletes with handicap bonuses (for age and gender) were in the front. The following groups where numerous and had short time differences in between them. The groups would not last past the Algarve hills.
By check point B, on the first Algarve trails, Kate Aardal, Henry Hayes and Bart Dolfin were at the front. Here the forest is a mix different kinds of vegetation, denser on the hillsides, forming wonderfully dark and wet trails.
When passing check point C Gijs Dohmen was already in the lead, followed by Sandor Mol, the surprise of this stage. Shortly after passed Ignacio Romero along with Sérgio Marques. By then the mountain was rapidly approaching. Climbing is the strength of the Dutch leader of the race. Cycling through Ribeira Negra, after the climb and descent of Espinhaço de Cão, Gijs Dohmen had about 3 minutes of advantage over Sandor Mol. Some 5 minutes behind were Ignacio and Sergio Marques and shortly after was Sloan Anderson and behind him Niculin Bazzell.
On the top of Monchique mountain positions were still the same, and Gijs Dohmen was showing why is he the leader, having made an incredibly fast ascent. It is really amazing how after so many days of effort an athlete can still seem so fresh and full of energy.
Gijs crossed the finish line at 15h:26m, covering the 140 km of the stage in 6h and 26m. About six minutes later came Sandor Mol. Ignacio Romero came 14 minutes after the winner and Sérgio Marques seven minutes later. By 6h 50m, came Niculin Bazzell, 24 minutes after Gijs. A few seconds later entered the American Sloan Anderson, who was sixth in the stage.
Most of the athletes arrived at the end isolated. This is a stage non-conducive to large groups, given the configuration of the last 90 km with very long climbs. By the end all participants had very tired faces, reflecting the toughness of the race, with this stage being one of the hardest.
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