The fifth edition of the Granfondo Medio Tejo delivered an exciting day of racing across the hills of central Portugal, with over 1,500 riders from 27 nations taking on three monumental routes out of Ferreira do Zêzere in warm late-spring conditions.
On the longer Granfondo — 132 km with 4,065 metres of leg-breaking climbing — Ricardo Gil (Casa Benfica Almodôvar) topped the men’s field of 233 finishers in 03:36:32, with Ricardo Borges (Penacova First Bike Reconco) 1 second behind and Cesário Silva (Love Tiles) a further 2 seconds back in a remarkably tight three-way sprint. In the women’s Granfondo, Alice Neves (Orion Cycling Team) took a commanding win in 04:08:59, with Ana Frias (Love Tiles) finishing 15 minutes and 18 seconds behind.
On the Mediofondo — 106 km with 3,200 metres of elevation gain — the men’s race produced the closest finish in the history of the event. João Jesus (Paredes Aventura) crossed the line in 02:49:54, edging Ivo Lopes (Specialized Portugal) by a barely believable 0.01 of a second — a finish that will fuel debate long after the medals are handed out. Carlos Rodrigues (RoadTrainingCentre) completed the podium 2 minutes and 17 seconds back.
Mariana Santos (Brinox Cycling Team) delivered a dominant performance in the women’s Mediofondo, winning in 03:40:12 — 4 minutes and 21 seconds ahead of Diana Porto (Love Tiles). Ana Barata (Pódio em Movimento) took third, 8 minutes and 22 seconds back.
2026 Granfondo Medio Tejo results HERE
Photo Credit: Granfondo Medio Tejo
© 2026 Copyright Gran Fondo Daily News – All Rights Reserved