| | | | Stage 1,2 and 3 Update
Prologue
It was a perfect day for the returning skils, as Leon Bemmel impressed stopping the clock at the 4 minutes mark. That was 60kmph average! Magazine’s favourite and current Volta champion Leitao (blast) was sixth, while the podium was completed by an outstanding Miyazaki (Hommerts Cycling Team) and Frank Herbage (Team Majones). GC contenders doing fine were Stilwell and Bauwens. However, their gain was very small and no big differences were observed.
From the ambulance:
Three riders arrived to the race with previous injuries. Those were Sherman (lastplace1414), Haagdoren (skils) and Kolman (Onie). The two crashes requiring doctors assistance were from Robert Kock (Nairobi City Cycling Club) and Elijah Roseberry (Indurain team).
Stage 2
Stage two heads north to Viana do Castelo through flat roads. There were many breakaway attempts in the first kilometres until a 7-man break was created. However, the sprinters’ teams had the situation under control all the time, and the seven were caught quite soon with 25 to go. It was a nervous sprint with many contenders, some of them inexpert climbers in a suicidal mission, where Jan-Joost Dussel (peddelen) was the smartest rider deciding to go on the left side when the sprint was opened on the right side. He won by a bikelength over Co Postuma (yes, that climber) from Darkwave Reordings. Posthuma’s manager Corum Jhaelen Isrei commented that “obviously using Villumsen as a super-leadout is working”. Susumu “Susu” Miyazaki was third, just enough to take the lead with the bonus seconds.
From the ambulance:
The handlebars of Gerardo Sardinha (who was helping his captain Miyazaki) and Elvis Rivera (doing the same for Eric Donachy of Colonels Bucket) collided after the last turn with 700 metres to go. That was on the front of the bunch, but the wideness of the road allowed many riders to continue fighting for the victory. Six riders crashed, with three major injuries: the aforementioned Sardinha and Rivera, and Bogdanel Iorga (Indurain team).
Stage 3
First contact with the mountains was succesful for local riders, as Gilberto Morais (Torreira), only 23, was the best of the field. Willis Stilwell (Poker21), and favourite of our Magazine for this stage, finished second and jumped into overall lead, while Alfeu Freitas (CycleMotor) completed the podium. Many favourites finished near Morais, and the current top 10 of the race lays within a minute.
From the ambulance:
This is not Indurain team's Tour. Continuing the trend, they will have all riders injured by stage 6! This time it was current spot holder Ferdl Adams who crashed in a descent. He's injured with a broken rib, and thus will not be defending his third place of last season. Edwin Drake (Team Majones) was also injured when he hit a barrier in the first kilometres.
Join the Magazine tomorrow for stage 4 and 5 updates!
General classification
1. Willis Stilwell (Poker21)
2. Chris Bauwens (Team Crazy Downhillers)
3. Susumu Miyazaki (Hommerts Cycling Team)
4. Gilberto Morais (Torreira
5. Alfeu Freitas (CycleMotor)
Sprint classification
1. Susumu Miyazaki (Hommerts Cycling Team)
Youth classification
1. Chris Bauwens (Team Crazy Downhillers)
Porto Prologue
Stage 1
1. Leon Bemmel (skils)
2. Susumu Miyazaki (Hommerts Cycling Team)
3. Frank Herbage (Team Majones)
Porto - Viana do Castelo
Stage 2
1. Jan-Joost Dussel (peddelen)
2. Co Posthuma (Darkwave Recordings)
3. Susumu Miyazaki (Hommerts Cycling Team)
Viana do Castelo – Portelinha
Stage 3
1. Gilberto Morais (Torreira)
2. Willis Stilwell (Poker21)
3. Alfeu Freitas (CycleMotor)
Written by Holger Czukay, at the field reporter in Porto to OCM Magazine
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