Ladoeiro to Castelo de Vide67 mi and 2,444.5 m climbing
The fourth stage was described as a recovery stage in the evenings that preceded it. The stage proved to be much more difficult than we expected due to the conditions that we experienced.
It rained heavily in the morning, making the course slippery with clay mud. It made it very difficult to ride.
The first rider, who was a novice rider, left the Hotel IdanhaCaca around 9 a.m. while those with no handicap left at 10. Although it was heavy raining as they left the Hotel IdanhaCaca, many riders were still wearing their waterproofs. However, they took them off later. The weather was better throughout the day and it stopped raining at Castelo de Vide. Most athletes were finished with the stage.
The stage was initially flat with only a few stones slowing down progress to Vila Velha De Rodao. Here the athletes met up and crossed the Tagus River. This is the largest river in Portugal. The northern border of the Alentejo is marked by the Tagus. This is the largest area in Portugal and it will be the one that the race crosses until it reaches Algarve.
Things became more difficult for Vila Velha de Rodao. Although the Alentejo is often considered a flat area, it is not up to Castelo de Vide where riders find themselves in a constant state of strife due to the continuous climbs and descents. Some riders were tired and needed to be pulled out because of this.
Cristina Costa was another rider that had to be pulled out today. After yesterday’s fall, Cristina Costa, a Portuguese woman contestant, experienced severe pain in her ribs. After falling yesterday, she had to leave the stage and was taken to Castelo Branco’s hospital where she was diagnosed as having a fractured right rib. She is not going to let it stop her and will be back at the starting line tomorrow.
The last section before Castelo de Vide was relatively flat. This allowed riders to rest before climbing up the cobblestone Roman road to the castle. Many of them walked up this section due to how tired they were.
Joking with each other, riders from different countries shared their thoughts on the difficulty of the race at the finish line. Patrick from South Africa suggested that anyone who wanted to take a break after the race should go to the Cape Epic. It is one of the most difficult races in the world.
Reg, also from South Africa told us that he once considered giving up and throwing his bike in a stream. He wouldn’t have to think about it again, as he wouldn’t be able find his sunken bicycle.
Stage 5 is the longest and most difficult stage of the race. It runs from Castelo de Vide, Portugal, to Monsaraz. It covers a distance of 99 mi with an average elevation of 11,47.2m.
STAGE 4 RESULTS
1. Ricardo Melo 2. Gustavo Bachi 3. Nuno Guerreiro 4. Marco Martins 5. Trevor Milton
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AFTER 4TH STAGE
1. Ricardo Melo2 2. Marco Martins2 3. Nuno Guerreiro2 4. Gustavo Bachi2 Julie Dinsdale3
