“That I go on, and what more is there in going on than not stopping, but going on?”
Álvaro de Campos, heteronym of Fernando Pessoa
At the wheel of the Chevrolet along the road to Sintra
Start: Praça José Máximo da Costa (Lourinhã) – 13h25
Finish: Av. Eng. Duarte Pacheco – Palácio Nacional de Queluz – 17h12
The opening stage could end in a sprint… or it might not.
The real challenge of this stage lies in its constant ups and downs, characteristic of this region. There are no major climbs, but the rolling terrain could wear down the peloton and make life difficult for the sprinters if the race is contested at a high pace.
The Category 3 climb to Sintra, located relatively close to the finish, could provide the perfect launch pad for riders looking to avoid a bunch sprint. It will be an open, nervous and sufficiently selective stage that could begin shaping the race earlier than usual.
