Road cycling is once again taking place on 25 April to the backdrop of the landscapes of the Aldeias do Xisto, when the 4th edition of the Aldeias do Xisto Classic will take place, the only official competition  that starts and ends in a village and that marks the return of such events to our region. This year, the route links the Aldeias do Xisto of Benfeita, in the municipality of Arganil, and Fajão, in the municipality of Pampilhosa da Serra.

The Aldeias do Xisto Classic is one of the events making up the Jogos Santa Casa Portugal Cup and continues to be one of the most demanding one-day races in the Portuguese cycling calendar. The cyclists will ride a total of 142km, with total climbing of 2700 m. The always undulating terrain of the region will lead the runners to the Açor mountain range, which promises to be an unforgiving judge.  The runners will cross the villages of Pisão, Côja, Secarias, Arganil, Casal de São José, Góis, Fonte do Soite, Semide, Miranda do Corvo, Lousã, Vilarinho, Boavista, Ladeiras, Teixeira and Relvas.
 

The last 42 kilometres include three hill category climbs. The first climb counting for the king of the mountain’s classification takes place at Cerdeira, at 100 kilometres, and it is a third category climb; at 126.3 kilometres there is the first mountain category climb at Cêpos. There are 4300 metres of climbing with an average gradient of 8.4%; the finish coincides with a second mountain category climb, a 2500 metre climb with an average gradient of 7.3%.
 

A peloton of 126 cyclists is expected, representing nine continental teams and many other club teams. The race starts at 12pm, at Leonardo Gonçalves Mathias Garden, in Benfeita. The arrival of the cyclists in Fajão, after a final climb of 2.5km, is scheduled for around 4pm.
 

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.

In 2017, the Aldeias do Xisto Classic ran from  Barroca, in the municipality of Fundão, to  Cerdeira, in the municipality of Lousã. In 2018, the event started at  Álvaro, Oleiros, and finished at the  Aldeia das Dez, Oliveira do Hospital. In 2019, this started in  Pedrógão Pequeno, Sertã, and finished in  Gondramaz, Miranda do Corvo. These are long and demanding routes, but always surrounded by the beautiful landscapes that characterise the Aldeias do Xisto. 

While waiting for this year’s event, learn about the stories that underline the editions of 2018 and 2019.