Great performance of Latin American cycling on European roads. Orluis Aular (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) stayed this Sunday with the title of champion of the Volta ao Alentejo 2023, after maintaining the leadership in the fifth and final stage, a day of 154.9 kilometers disputed between the Portuguese towns of Monforte and Evora.
The Venezuelan rider who won last year’s edition dressed in leader yellow after finishing second in the fourth stage of the race, and easily overcame the last obstacle to finish on the top of the podium.
Honorable mention to Adrián Bustamante (Kelly-Simondes-UDO), who lived up to expectations and took the second step of the podium just 16 seconds behind the Venezuelan. Third place went to the cyclist from the Netherlands, Alex Molenaar (Electro Hiper Europa).
The last stage victory was achieved in Évora by the also Venezuelan Leangel Linarez (Tavfer-Ovos Matinados), ahead of his compatriot and the German Pirmin Eisenbarth (Bike Aid). The Antioquian sprinter Santiago Mesa (ABTF Betão-Feirense) finished 12th and Adrián Bustamante (Kelly – Simondes – UDO) 17th.
After his victory seven days ago in the Clássica da Arrabida, Orluis Aular completed the week with this new victory for Caja Rural-Seguros RGA after winning the general standings in the Volta ao Alentejo. The Venezuelan crossed the finish line in second place in the Évora sprint, but it served him to seal the race. His regularity during the five stages was also accompanied by the green jersey.
The last stage had a single objective for the green team: to tie the Orluis leader’s jersey, achieved in the Saturday stage. For this, the entire block came out psyched up to defend the ten seconds of rent. An advantage that even increased, thanks to the bonus of an extra second that Orluis was able to add when passing through one of the flying goals.
“I am very happy and grateful for the work of the entire team and staff from start to finish. The reward is very good, we take this victory home repeating what we achieved last year (Arrabida and Alentejo), and it gives us a lot of confidence for the remainder of the season. Yesterday’s stage was the decisive moment, with a lot of mountains, but the team fully trusted me and helped me during the five days. I like racing in Portugal and why not try to repeat a third victory on next year,” said Orluis.
Source: Revista Mundo Ciclístico y www.biciclismo.com