Road cycling is once again returning to the scenery of the Aldeias do Xisto on 1 May, when the third edition of the Aldeias do Xisto Classic will take place. Strong emotions, adrenaline and fair play have already made their presence felt in what is also the final race of the Santa Casa Games Portugal Cup.
This year, the route links the Aldeias do Xisto ofPedrógão Pequeno, in the municipality of Sertã,and Gondramaz, in the municipality of Miranda do Corvo. This forms a total distance of 154 km, covering some of the most incredible scenery in the country.
The runners will cross the villages of Sertã, Troviscal, Mosteiro, Oleiros, Cambas, Portela do Gavião, Pampilhosa da Serra, Serpins, Casal de Ermio, Semide, Miranda do Corvo and Quebrada.
The symbolic start will take place at 12pm, in Praça Ângelo Henriques Vidigal, in Pedrógão Pequeno. The real competition starts five minutes later at the Vale da Froca sign. The cyclists are expected to arrive in Gondramaz around 4.30pm.
The route has an accumulated climb of 2750 metres, including four mountain stage climbs: Sertã (4th category, at km 16.1), Portela do Gavião (3rd category, at km 63.6), Pampilhosa da Serra (2nd category, at km 80) and Gondramaz (2nd category, coinciding with the finish line).
The final climb is 5.5 kilometres long and has an average gradient of 8.5%. It is expected to be the right moment for the right attacks, for those aiming for victory in the Classic, but also for the general classification of the Santa Casa Games Portugal Cup.
With two points races having already been completed, the destiny of the Cup would appear to be in the hands of two riders who will not be able to compete in the Aldeias do Xisto, namely Rui Oliveira and Jonathan Lastra. Looking at the general classification and the profile of the Aldeias do Xisto Classic, the main candidates to win the Santa Casa Games Portugal Cup are Raúl Alarcón and João Rodrigues (W52-FC Porto), David de la Fuente (Aviludo-Louletano) and Luís Mendonça (Rádio Popular-Boavista).
The Aldeias do Xisto Classic is part of the Cyclin' Portugal project, which aims to project the Aldeias do Xisto region as an excellent destination for professional or amateur cycling.This project is the result of a protocol between the Aldeias do Xisto, the Portuguese Cycling Federation, Turismo Centro de Portugal and is supported by the Secretary of State for Tourism.
The Cyclin' Portugal 2019 calendar also includes events such as the European Downhill Championship, which is taking place between 2 and 5 May in Pampilhosa da Serra.
