2600 cyclists from 30 nationalities took part in the 7th edition of Love Tiles Douro Gran Fondo in Portugal on Sunday. Long considered the biggest cycling event in the country, from Peso da Régua amateurs competed on very hilly 154km gran fondo, 102km medio fondo and 57km mini fondo routes past some of Europe’s oldest vineyards.

Goncalo Freitas (Love Tiles) kept team sponsor and title sponsor Love Tiles happy with an outstanding 4 hour 15 minute solo victory in the gran fondo, winning with a five plus minute gap on Nuno Morgado and Ruben Pais. Freitas, 35, is one of Portugal’s top amateur riders, winning Viana Gran Fondo Europcar in March and finishing 8th at the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships last September.

After battling for hours with every pedal stroke, in the final meters 27 year-old Alessia Teixeira (Cadao Douro BTT) defeated Joana Monteiro for the women. Both riders finishing in 5 hours 13 minutes.

Nuno Torres (Secai-Gaiabike-Geoinerte) also soloed victory and was the only rider to finish in under 3 hours (2:57:20) on the 102km medio fondo route. Teammate Claudio Santos sprinted for second place, followed by Tiago Teixeira in third. Cristiana Valente won the women’s competition in 3 hours 21 minutes.

Photo Credit: BikeService.pt/Eduardo Campos

© 2019-2023 All Rights Reserved Gran Fondo Daily News / GFDN