2023 Algarve Bike Challenge | Highlights
Photos courtesy of Sportshot. Video and text courtesy of Algarve Bike Challenge
The most popular MTB stage race of Portugal took place in Tavira, Algarve, Portugal from 10th to 12th of March. More than 1250 riders from 22 nationalities attended this special edition of the race.
With superb weather conditions, the temperature rose up to 25º and the riders could enjoy perfect conditions for mountain biking in the bike paradise Algarve region located in the south of Portugal.
The race started with the traditional night prologue, with a revised 2,5km course in the historical area of Tavira, with its narrow streets, tight bends, cobbles, stairs and the roman bridge!
Split in 7 race categories according to the age and gender of the riders, the 2nd stage on Saturday March 11th was the longest one with 87 km of distance and 2000 meters of accrued climbing. Considering the high number of participants racing, the stage route had larger gravel roads with most of the climbing on the first half of the stage, including a special Garmin KOM Segment in the demanding 4,5km climb to Cruzes.
After km 40 the route changed completely with plenty of singletracks and technical sections, including the enduro descent of Menta. For the 3rd stage it was reserved a shorter and easier stage with 70 km of distance and 1460 meters of accrued climbing over the east area of the Algarve region, bordering with Spain.
In the the Open Man category the spaniards, Manuel Cordero and Marcos Fernandez from team Extremadura-Ecopilas proved to be the strongest. With an impressive exhibition on Stage 2, on Stage 3 they wisely managed the pace to seal a deserved win over the Flyz Racing Team of Nacho Perez and Pau Bedos. In 3rd place overall finished the G-Skin Scott MTB Team from Belgium, with Maxime Dony and Gregoire Simon, who won the night prologue plus the 3rd stage as well.
In the Women Category, the female team from Flyz Racing Team, Jessica Cruz and Pilar Hernandez won the 3 stages of the race and sealed a clear victory over the former winners of the Algarve Bike Challenge, Celina Carpinteiro from Portugal and Naima Desneir from Germany. In third place finish Paola Abril and Paula Jarque of Scott Cala Bandida Team.
In the mixed category won Esther Maqueda and Antonio Manfredi from team Expobikes 2 over Didi Dvries and Matthias Thyssen, Giant France MTB Pro Team. In third place finished Maria Isabel Davila and Sergio Urbano from Zambrus Bike Team.
Masters Results
Master Men:
- Juan Pedro Trujillo/ David Arroyo – CONWAY CDC TRUJILLO
- Pedro Pereira/ Nuno Inácio – BTTGARDUNHA/FUNDÃO/CREATE
- Francisco Lozano/ Bruno Pinto – TEAM KLIMATIZA-ESHMÚN 3
Grand Master Men:
- Leonardo Sousa /Fernando Henrique – 360ºBIKE-TRAIL/MUNDIMAT/CCA PAIO PIRES 3
- Pablo Miranda /Ricardo Araujo – Team Bizzis
- Victoriano Rengel /Juan Oria – BC LEPE MEOLLA
Master Women:
- Marlene Costa/ Hannah Heyse – GYRAD & BTT LOULÉ/ELEVIS
- Ana Sequeira/ Bruna Rosa – CBTTA
- Laurence Gerard/ Amparo Martin – LOLO Y MODERNA
Master Mixed:
- Sonia Rodrigues/ Rui Fernandes – GARRA-ONEBIKE
- Tungui Cuenco/ David Zuniga – BABUXAS
- Monica Correira /André Vieira – BTT Loule / BTT Conceição de Faro