Race Report: Enduro Challenge Ponte de Lima 2019

Another year. Another edition.

During the last weekend of 19 and 20 of October, the historic village in the north of Portugal - Ponte de Lima - was the venue for the fourth edition of Enduro Challenge Ponte de Lima. After last year's debut into the Portuguese Enduro Cup as the final round were José Borges and Maaris Meier were crowned as Champions. So, this year the event organizers decided to go off the book’s and arranged an ‘off-site’ race that was also an Enduro World Series Qualifier.

After a wet and muddy training day - as predicted by forecast app’s - some riders struggled to roll down some fresh features… but as they call it, this is Enduro. By the end of the day, the rain made some truces, packed its things and went away. The sun rose warming the cold morning of Sunday. As the rain went away and the race was on, the riders were expecting slippery and loamy conditions at least the first ones. Over the five stages, Renato Costa was confident and also riding fast, beating everyone stage by stage but... Any mistake was the death of the artist, Pedro Oliveira rode consistent collecting some seconds to hold the gap between them. Brook Daly, the 'Kiwi' was passing through Portugal with his Van and decided to enter the race... Third place for him, not bad for a first timer.

After all, it was a fantastic weekend surrounded by good friends and vibes... Hope you like the race report! Many thanks to Sandro Silva and all the crew from Pé do Negro, you guys are the best!

Words and Photos by Tiago Nunes.

After a wet training day, nothing better than a cleaned lens.

First stage, done. On the way to Funzone.

Step connection for breakfast.

Diving into the dense forest of Delta trail.

Make it look fast, do a panshot.

Vitor Gamito, a legend from the Portuguese Road Cycling rode into a 7th.

Sun flares through tree branches.

Droppin' into the last part of Delta.

What a combo... Paulo Torres and his Yeti racing kit.

Eyes on the prize.

A right hander turn through a muddy off-camber.

Loamy section at Absolute Black.

Angelical light is a must.

A fresh 'snake zone' at Absolute Black.

How many watts are on this photo?

Renato Costa showed up on fire and took the 1st place.

Claúdia Vasconcelos took 2nd in the Women M30.

Ponte de Lima valley offered by Absolute Black.

It's hard but good. It's Enduro..

Pedro Oliveira sits in the second place.

Railing the fresh berms at Maxxis trail.

Rafael Costa from Madeira riding is Gt Sanction.

Another Yeti bites the dust.

José Borges brought his BH Atom X and won the E-Bikes Category.

Marcos Fernández leaning it on stage 5.

All the way from New Zeland, Brook Daly took a solid 3rd place.

Thats a wrap. See you next year.

Results

Men
1) Renato Costa - 19:25m
2) Pedro Oliveira - 20:00m
3) Brook Daly - 20:21m

Women
1) Solange Domingues - 32:11m

E-bikes
1) José Borges - 17:58m
2) José 'Meira' Oliveira - 18:26m
3) Jonathan Araujo - 19:55m

Master 30
1) Borja Caneiro Martínez - 20:23m
2) Luis Lopes - 21:23m
3) Ivan Silva - 22:11m

Master 40
1) Hugo Fernandez Riobo - 20:55m
2) Pablo López Broullon - 21:05m
3) Marco Martinho - 22:12m

Duo
1) Olders SE - 20:20m
2) Henrique Carvalho / Bruno Marinho - 20:54m
3) Rubén / Esteban - 21:20m

All the results here.
Visit Pé do Negro facebook to shred the best trails of Ponte de Lima.

Posted In:
Racing and Events Enduro Racing

Author Info:

TiagoNunes96
Member since Dec 21, 2012
9 articles