An event that brings "the energy and passion of cycling to the villages", says ADXTUR's Executive Director, Rui Simão, or, as the cyclist Jóni Brandão puts it,"Beautiful, tough, and competitive". A pride and joy for the villages that host the start and finish line festivities. The 4th edition of the Aldeias do Xisto Classic, one of the most demanding races of the Portuguese Cycling Federation calendar, took place on 25 April between Benfeita, in the boroughof Arganil, and Fajão, in the borough of Pampilhosa da Serra, a much celebrated return following the success of the previous editions held in the Aldeias do Xisto.
It was such an eagerly awaited return that not even a full day of rain deterred the public from supporting and cheering on the cyclists.
The race’s demanding course led more than a hundred athletes through the challenging and beautiful terrain of the serra do Açor Mountain Range. Rain and cold of course also were a challenge for the national team and clubs.
The first two thirds of the 142 kilometre race were tightly contested at a fast pace and did not allow for any breakouts. On the first of the three mountains in the race, in Cerdeira, about 40 kilometres from the finish line, a group started to gain a lead from which the winner of the race would emerge. The favourites broke away on the second and most difficult of the climbs.
In Cêpos, Joni Brandão and José Neves (W52-FC Porto), Tiago Antunes and Joaquim Silva (Tavfer-Measindot-Mortágua), and Frederico Figueiredo (EFAPEL) made the dash to the head of the race, where, from the ten initial outliers only Ricardo Vilela (W52-FC Porto) and Pedro Andrade (Hagens Berman Axeon) remained.
The 2500 metres of climb to the finish line, contested under a torrent of rain, allowed three competitors to gain a slight advantage. Frederico Figueiredo was the first to gain a lead in the last 200 meters, but ultimately Joni Brandão crossed the finish line first. Tiago Antunes came a close second, and Frederico Figueiredo took third place on the podium.
Jóni Brandão thus repeated his 2019 feat and was the first to cross the finish line of the 4th edition of the Aldeias do Xisto Classic: "I had a slight distraction at a decisive moment, but I managed to get ahead. My teammates helped me save myself for the final push. I just had to finish", the athlete sums up the challenge."It was a very hard day, with very difficult weather conditions. And the steepness of the terrain", adding that "the route is very well chosen".
Ricardo Vilela, from W52 FC Porto, was also on the podium to receive the Mountain Award, and Pedro Andrade, from Hagens Berman Axeon Cycling Team, received the Youth Award. W52 FC Porto was the Best Overall Team.
