Tour of Portugal turned upside down in Serra da Estrela | Sergio Chumil wins from the breakaway and Colin Stussi loses yellow jersey

The start of the stage was marked by a crash that led to three abandonments, namely Jonathan Caicedo, Emanuel Duarte and Cesar Macias. Bad news for Diego Camargo and Luís Fernandes, who lost support on the climbs. The breakaway got off to a slow start, with several teams realizing how important it would be to have someone in front for the final climb. Strangely, no team put a rider in the breakaway who posed a real threat to the general classification.

Team Vorarlberg controlled the race at the front of the peloton without any major problems. The leading group entered the last climb with a lead of about 2 minutes and Sabgal – Anicolor Cycling Team decided to take over the reins of the peloton. At the front, Xavier Cañellas attacked and remained isolated. Behind him, another Spaniard suffered a mechanical problem, and not just any Spaniard, with Ander Okamika, 6th in the general classification, falling behind, albeit only temporarily.

Sabgal worked at the front with Frederico Figueiredo… and Mauricio Moreira lost contact with 16 km to go. In the meantime, Euskaltel – Euskadi came forward and Afonso Eulálio launched an attack. It was an important move for the general classification, because it could guarantee ABTF Betão – Feirense two very well-placed men in the general classification and could lead to Colinn Stüssi or other riders in the general classification exhausting themselves to lose the initiative.

And it was 15km from the finish that the yellow jersey showed its strength and closed the gap after a teammate pulled him back a few metres. António Carvalho reacted immediately but slipped a little a few metres.

Then it was Mikel Bizkarra’s turn to attack and Afonso Eulálio took off again. The 23-year-old was on a roll and quickly took the lead, now consisting of Cañellas and Sergio Chumil, with only the Guatemalan champion keeping pace with the number 2 of the Santa Maria da Feira team. In close pursuit were Delio Fernández, Mikel Bizkarra and Jaume Guardeño, who confirmed his victory in the youth classification.

The lead of the yellow jersey group started to grow and Diego Camargo attacked, also without any reaction. The 23-year-old took the virtual lead, while Mauricio Moreira rejoined the group of favorites and Jon Aguirre rode in the chasing group, promising a real podium finish.

With just over 3 km to go, Stüssi, at the back of the group, seemed to resign himself to losing time. Credibom / LA Alumínios / MarcosCar pulled away… and Stüssi launched his attack! António Carvalho stayed behind and the yellow jersey passed the group of Luís Fernandes.

Stüssi gained around 30 seconds, but it was not enough to stop the young Eulálio, 11 seconds behind, from taking the yellow jersey. Jon Aguirre is third at 15 seconds and Bizkarra is fourth at 37 seconds. Chumil was the better of the Portuguese rider at the finish line, after holding his pace and after a day on the run. A truly sensational stage.

Results powered by FirstCycling.com