Hernani Broco wins third stage of Volta a Portugal em Bicicleta 2011 - Cycling News
LA-Antarte team’s Hernani Broco attacked during the final climb and took the third stage of Volta a Portugal em Bicicleta 2011 on Sunday, August 7. The race started in Viana do Castelo and ended in Mondim de Basto.
The Portuguese cyclists took the total of 4 hours, 4 minutes and 47 seconds to cover the distance of 151 kilometres while Ricardo Mestre of Tavira-Prio was runner-up with the same timing of Broco.
After winning the stage Broco said, "It was a very special victory, this morning I told my colleagues I wanted to try and win today to honour someone who is sorely missed today, Edgar Pinto. I spoke to him, and he said he would be cheering for us today."
Broco dedicate this winning to his family members who supported him in good and bad times of his life. Recently, he took third stage of Tour of Portugal. Broco also took the second stage of GP Barbot in 2007.
When the race entered in Viana do Castelo, the group of seven cyclists made their breakaway lead. All of them worked well together but Joni Domingos Brandao showed his brilliant effort and took the advantage of six minutes.
In the final 10 kilometres, all the cyclists were caught by the peloton and Brandao stayed away in the early slopes of Alta da Graca. David Livramento of Tavira/Prio launched the first attack in the final 6 kilometres but Brandao and David were caught by
the other cyclists.
Broco and Mestre jumped inside the last kilometres while Broco was in strong form and managed to cross the finish line ahead of the other cyclists.
Hernani took overall standing with the timing of 13 hours, 51 minutes and 17 seconds. Sergio Miguel was runner-up with 4 seconds and Ricardo Mestre of Tavira-Prio was in third place with 16 seconds behind Broco.
Broco further added, "I think for now I just want to enjoy today, savour the victory, there's still a long way to go in this race, and there will be plenty of riders launching attacks in the days ahead."
The next stage will start in Lamego and end in Gouveia. All the cyclists will cover the distance of 182.3 kilometres.
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