Marta Carvalho stands out in the under-23s’ affirmation in the Portuguese Cup in Albufeira

The under-23 runners were the strongest overall in the Carlos Silva e Sousa Cup, the second race of the Portuguese Women’s Cup, held this Saturday in Albufeira.

Marta Carvalho (Cantabria Deport/Rio Miera) was the first to cross the finish line, followed by the winner of the 2023 Cofidis Women’s Tour of Portugal, Valeria Valgonen (Soltec Iberoamerica).

On a 77-kilometre course, the elite and under-23 squad arrived practically compactly at the finish line, but two runners started with greater power and argued among themselves for victory, with the squad remaining in contention for third place.

In a duel between two under-23s, Marta Carvalho got the better of Russian Valeria Valgonen, both with 2h00m44s, two seconds less than the bulk of the field. The third under-23 was Argentine Julieta Benedetti (Maiatos), first overall in the Cup in this category.

The best elite runners crossed the finish line in the main pack, two seconds ahead of the best of the day. Among the elite, Ukrainian Kateryna Velychko (Matos Mibility/Flexaco Cycling Team) won, who is also first overall in the Cup. Celina Carpinteiro (CDASJ/Cycli’Team Município de Albufeira) and Susana Freitas (Vertentability Cycling Team) followed.

The juniors completed 64 kilometers and the best was Rita Tanganho (CDASJ/ Cycli’Team Município de Albufeira)), but the Cup command belongs to Bruna Gonçalves (Cantanhede Cycling/VESAM). Maria Coimbra won the 51 kilometers allocated to the cadets, taking first place in the Portuguese Cup.

The best veterans were master 30 Susana Alemão, master 40 Irina Coelho (CDASJ/ Cycli’Team Município de Albufeira), master 50 Rosa Marques (Academia Ciclismo do Alto Minho) and master 60 Leontina Palhas (Vertentability Cycling Team).

Racing at home and as the organizing team, CDASJ/ Cycli’Team Município de Albufeira won as a team, although the overall collective was topped by the Matos Mobility/Flexaco Cycling Team formation.

Cycling will cycle from the Algarve to Alentejo, where, in Moura, the third race of the Women’s Portuguese Cup will take place this Sunday. The Freedom Run starts at 10am. The elite and under-23 runners will face 95.3 kilometers, the juniors 76.6 kilometers, the cadets and masters finish the race at 57.5 kilometers.