Vila do Conde-born Raquel Quiros, 21, won the first women’s Tour of Portugal at the Velo Performance-JS Campinense, underlining the favoritism with which the competition began. The rider won one of the four stages (the final in Lores) and the time trial at Vila Franca de Xira was third on day one in Setubal and seventh upon arrival in Lisbon.
“I feel very proud. I never imagined that I could win this race, because I didn’t know what my body could offer. Today’s stage was very difficult, but I had the help of my teammate Mariana and other Portuguese runners, who joined together to secure a national victory and for whom I thank ‘ said Raquel Quiros.
The last stage between Caldas da Rainha and Lisbon, with a distance of 94.7 km, was initially attacked by the British LDN-Brother, who tried to reach the top positions, and the Portuguese responded, canceling all attempts. A group of 32 cyclists decided to win the race with Lucy Lee (LDN) being the fastest, followed by Spain’s Lucia Garcia and Laura Rodriguez (SCA).
Raquel Quiros was the final winner, followed by Sofia Gomez (VES) belonging to the junior tier, with Íris Gomez (SCA) completing the podium. Danielle Shrewsbury (LDN) was the points and mountain winner, Sofia Gomez (VES) the first in her youth and LDN-Brother UK as the team winner, having finished 61st out of the 84 cyclists who lined up at the start.
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