The 86th edition of the Volta a Portugal begins this Wednesday, August 4, and will run until August 17. To ensure the “safety” of both spectators and cyclists, the Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) has issued a series of guidelines.
Spectators are advised by the PSP to remain “always behind the barriers and off the roadway” and to avoid “running alongside athletes or using objects that might distract them.”
Additionally, crossing during the cyclists’ passage is prohibited and children should be kept safe by staying close at all times.
The PSP also stresses the importance of following the “directions of authorities and event organizers.”
For those driving on the roads, the security force advises respecting road closures, following indicated detour routes, and avoiding parking in forbidden areas or places that could jeopardize the event’s safety.
One should also be extra cautious in the vicinity of the race route.
“Your safety and that of the cyclists depend on everyone. We are on the road with you. Always,” emphasized the PSP in a Facebook post.
A 3.4-kilometer prologue in Maia kicks off today’s 11 days of competition for the Volta a Portugal in cycling and will determine the first yellow jersey wearer of the 86th edition.
The individual time trial involving 111 registered cyclists will begin at 3:35 PM with Diogo Narciso (Credibom-LA Alumínios-MarcosCar) from Portugal and is expected to end around two hours later, as specialist Rafael Reis (Anicolor-Tien21) takes to the road at 5:25 PM.
Just before the winner of the prologue in the last four editions—and also in 2016 and 2018—Olympic champion of madison Iúri Leitão (Caja Rural) starts, followed shortly by fellow Portuguese nationals Gonçalo Leaça (Credibom-LA Alumínios-MarcosCar), who finished fourth in the last edition, and António Carvalho (Feirense-Beeceler), who finished third in 2022 and 2023.
The only previous winner present, Russian Artem Nych (Anicolor-Tien21), will begin his time trial at 5:09 PM in his attempt to defend the title won last year and join the list of two-time champions of the Volta.
Cyclists will depart with a one-minute gap between them and will cover 3.4 kilometers, starting from Avenida Altino Coelho and finishing at Avenida Luís de Camões, on an entirely flat course.
The 3.4-kilometer prologue in Maia kicks off today’s 11-day competition at the Volta a Portugal in cycling and will determine the first yellow jersey wearer of the 86th edition.
Rafael Reis has already expressed that it will be a disappointment if he does not win the prologue of the 86th Volta a Portugal in cycling, after having won this brief time trial in the last four editions.
“We are aware that it will be a very tough Volta, with a lot of heat. As for me, for tomorrow [Wednesday], I think I have worked enough to try to achieve what everyone expects,” he stated.
