On Wednesday, yet another Tour of Portugal by bicycle begins, one of the most traditional and popular moments in Portuguese sports that blends the dreams of cyclists with the imaginations of those watching them pedal. Thus, with this mystical aura surrounding the sport, we present the story of this special event.
Way back in May 1885, the first cycling races started in Portugal. They were organized by the Ginásio Clube Português at the Belém Hippodrome. At that time, prominent figures such as Domingos Basto, Jorge Norton, Carlos Bernes, and Herbert Dagge shone. Concerning the latter, the Portuguese Cycling Federation cites historians who refer to him as the “father of cycling in Portugal.” In that distant 1885, José Bento Pessoa won the 12 kilometers of Campo Grande.
The Tour of Portugal only appeared in 1927. A total of 1,965 kilometers were covered over 18 stages. With fierce competition, António Augusto de Carvalho was the first winner of the Tour. The citizen from Albarraque, who represented Carcavelos—where he even has a street named after him—managed to complete a stage on a ‘pasteleira’ lent by a local, as noted on the federation’s website.
The second edition of the Tour of Portugal would only take place in 1931, organized by the “Diário de Notícias,” where cyclists even crossed the Tagus River by boat, pedaling in the first stage to Setúbal, as detailed in this article from “i”. There were a total of 18 stages, spanning 1,958 kilometers, almost the same as four years prior.
Although history books recount a majority of victories by the Portuguese, it is David Blanco who holds the record. The Spaniard won the Tour in 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012. After him, some legendary Portuguese names follow, such as Marco Chagas (1982, 1983, 1985, 1986), Alves Barbosa (1951, 1956, 1958), and Joaquim Agostinho (1970, 1971, 1972).
The last edition of the Tour of Portugal, in 2023, saw Colin Stüssi, a Swiss rider, triumph, particularly excelling in the time trial in Viana do Castelo. Several Portuguese teams participated in the contest: ABTF Betão-Feirense, AP Hotels & Resorts-Tavira-SC Farense, Aviludo-Louletano-Loulé Concelho, Credibom-La Alumínios-Marcos Car, Efapel Cycling, Glassdrive-Q8-Anicolor, Kelly-Simoldes-UDO, Rádio Popular-Paredes-Boavista, and Tavfer-Ovos Matinados-Mortágua.
The route, in a format similar to that of 2024 (10 stages plus a prologue), started in Viseu and finished in Viana do Castelo. This time, the event begins in Águeda and concludes in Viseu.
Renascença will have a reporter at the Tour of Portugal and will update all stage results, winners, and stories on rr.pt. The event will take place from July 24 to August 4.