Portuguese National Cup, Round 1 - S. Brás de Alportel by joaomartins94

São Brás de Alportel welcomed the first round of the 2016 Portuguese national cup where we had the presence of having some of the greatest names of the sport in attendance. They chose the amazing tracks of Portugal and our beautiful weather to prepare them for next season, which starts in Lourdes, France only one month away...

2016 Portuguese National Cup - S. Br s de Alportel

Friday morning track walk where they were greeted with a very fast track packed with jumps, which would only ensure an amazing days of riding and a good start the season.

Emanuel Pombo - the most victorious Portuguese rider - giving the lines to his brother, Daniel Pombo, and Leonor Bandeira.

While some gave a bit of air show...

...others gave the inglorious "floor show!"

With loads of fans lining the track, the riders gave their best and we had the chance to see what the best riders in the World Cup circuit could do in Portugal.

With the Portuguese rider and reigning National Champion, Vasco Bica, finishing in the 3rd position overall with the time of 2:24s.500, showing that he could be a contender for the podium on Sunday.

Josh Bryceland was one of the many athletes to choose Portugal to prepare for the 2016 season, qualifying in 2nd position with the time of 2:23s.588.

The young gun, Loris Vergier, of the newly formed Specialized Gravity Team, won the qualification run with the amazing time of 2:22s.717, -0.871 less than RatBoy.

In the Junior category the fight was between three Englishmen: Hatton, Seagrave and Breenden, but it was Charlie Hatton of WideOpen Magazine who took the win, leaving Kaos Seagrave by +1s,059.

The Elite Women was led by the Transition FMD Racing rider, Tahnee Seagrave who defeated Filipa Peres, the National Champion, by +9s:876. Closing out the podium with the UK's Lucy Drees with +19s:434 than Tahnee.

Steve Peat, finished 9th on his final run and was waiting for the last riders to come down, especially his mates Sam Dale and Josh Bryceland.

After his testing period with Trek Factory Racing DH in Lousa, Taylor Vernon came down to South to the Algarve, to get some pre-season racing in under his belt, finishing 7th.

The Portuguese Emanuel Pombo was able to show his regularity on this beginning of the season, separated by +3s:269 from the winner, finishing 6th overall.

A regular presence at the beginning of the season here in Portugal, Jack Reading, from One Vision Global Racing, closed out the top 5.

Oscar Harnstrom, from Swedish was one of the many international riders in Sao Bras de Alportel, and with a positive race, finished 4th with a time of 2:26s.162.

Vasco Bica was one of the unluckiest of the day. The National Champion had some mechanical problems on his bike...

RatBoy was expected to win, but the Santa Cruz rider ended up +2s.154 away from the winner.

Sambo!!!

After testing in Lousã with Fox Suspension, Team GT's Sam Dale joined Josh and Steve at this event, finishing in second place of the podium.

Loris Vergier made the track record with 2:22s.717, on the seeding run. But on the final run a puncture threw any chances away of getting the win.

The hero of the day was the Spanish rider Edgar Carballo (Vadebicis Mondraker) who defeat all the riders with the time of 2:23s.137. Carballo didn't want to believe and got thrilled with the amazing victory.

Sam Dale, Edgar Carballo and Josh "RatBoy" Bryceland.

The party continued after the race, with Peat, Josh and Dale being on the spotlight!

Portugal is more and more of a reference to the world for several reasons: good people, food, tracks, drinks, weather, good vibes all the rider love it!

All results.

Text and Photos: 24M

MENTIONS: @joaomartins94

Author Info:

joaomartins94

Member since Oct 28, 2009
5 articles

4 Comments

weride-pt (Mar 9, 2016 at 10:15)

That's the way to go... some really good mates coming to Portugal for some training and having a blast competing against portuguese lads! Portugal, a serious country about Mountain Bike!

Wildpack (Mar 10, 2016 at 2:55)

Great Report, Its good to know that Portugal its doing a great job in matter of races, its the second year in a row that the top racers choose our circuits to the the pre-season!! keep up!!

tiagomano FL (Mar 9, 2016 at 9:53)

good report of the race, keep going!

simaopdsousa (Mar 9, 2016 at 9:49)

Good job Johnny Boy!