The Aldeias do Xisto Classic is a   class 1.2 international race and will be the 3rd qualifying events for the Liberty Seguros trophy. The race is the Cyclin' Portugal project’s first endeavour after having been recently established a partnership between ADXTUR, Turismo Centro de Portugal and Portuguese Cycling Federation, under the auspices of the Secretary of State for Tourism.

The race is 140.6 km long, starting in the Aldeia do Xisto of Barroca, in Fundão, and finishing in the Aldeia do Xisto of Cerdeira, in Lousã. Finishing the race grants a second category qualifier. The competition will also be a tour of the beauty of the Aldeias do Xisto, passing through Janeiro de Baixo, Janeiro de Cima, Fajão, Casal Novo, Talasnal and Candal. 

150 cyclists from 9 countries will be competing: Australia, Bolivia, Colombia, Spain, France, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Russia. All the Portuguese continental and club teams participate, as well as the Burgos BH, Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, Equipo Bolivia, Lokosphinx and Team Sparebanken Sor formations There are no level sections on this track, the whole race is a permanent up and down. In addition to the mountain prize racers will have to pass two third category qualifiers and one first category, the latter only 10 kilometres from the finish.

The Portuguese national team will also be participating. The coach José Poeira brings together the experience of André Cardoso, Ricardo Vilela and Tiago Machado with the youth of under 23 André Carvalho, Daniel Viegas, Ivo Oliveira, João Almeida and Rui Oliveira, providing the youngsters with a race to prepare for their Cup of Nations commitments in a very demanding competitive setting.

"This new type of cycling is an activity open to the world, which combines the sporting aspects with tourist, cultural and economic interest. The Aldeias do Xisto Classic will be the most visible sporting event of a global project in which the Portuguese Cycling Federation will collaborate with the Aldeias do Xisto and Turismo do Centro de Portugal to boost that territory as a Cyclin'Portugal destination. The Aldeias do Xisto have all the conditions to attract competitions of different types, but also to boost Mountain Biking centres and cycle paths, in a holistic approach to cycling, encompassing leisure and competition", said the President of the Portuguese Cycling Federation, Delmino Pereira.

The Muro (Wall) da Cerdeira is open to all

And speaking of climbers, there will be a challenge for all biking lovers, who will be able to join their professional idols: the climb up to Muro da Cerdeira, a timed climb (cronometered STRAVA segment) of the final ascent of the route of the Aldeias do Xisto Classic - with prizes for the first 3 athletes. The day's classification counts in the "Muro" da Cerdeira segment. It is a highly difficult climb which, though only 1.5 km long, its average gradient of 11% and the various sections of the climb where the gradient reaches 20% make this wall a real challenge for everyone. The excellent quality asphalt paving is an aid to progression along this ramp.

• 1st Prize: Aldeias do Xisto Voucher 2 nights for 2 people + dinner
• 2nd Prize:  Aldeias do Xisto Voucher 1  night  for 2 people + dinner
• 3rd Prize:  Aldeias do Xisto Voucher 1 night for 2 people

How to participate

• Create a STRAVA account
• Register for the event Muro da Cerdeira Challenge - Aldeias do Xisto Classic
• A timed climg from the exit next to the  EN 236 
• Register for the climb on the GPS device
• Download the (public) climb activity on STRAVA during the 12 of March

• Climbs done with bicycles (road or mountain biking) without any motorised aid will be counted. Any record which indicates an attempt at fraud will be deleted immediately.
• Times will be counted and published on March 12th by STRAVA in the "Muro" segment of Cerdeira.
• The activities registered between 9am and 3pm on 12th March will be accounted for (after that time this access will be restricted to professionals participating in the Aldeias do Xisto Classic)
• The standings and prizes will be published on 13 March at 8pm, on the official Facebook ppage of the Aldeias do Xisto Classic  and on the official Facebook page of the Bike Roads project.