Yukoners Compete in the Trans Portugal Mountain Bike Race

05/13/2016 11:10

Ross Phillips on Day 2

The Race

Total of 108 riders listed on the official entry page

Crossing Portugal in 8 days, north to south; finishing in Sagres - the southern west point of Europe; 1000 km of off-road racing across forest tracks, gravel roads and steep single tracks on clifftops.

Racing from hotel door to hotel door, overnight stays in the best hotels in the region, excellent food and relaxed atmosphere all around.

No signs, ribbons or arrows to indicate the way. Intuitive flawless GPS guiding. You can never get lost and you are always sure you are following the right race track.

An innovative way of racing where each participant follows a virtual marked track on the screen of his GPS receiver.

Always racing across very isolated and peaceful landscape and in self sufficiency, no aid stations and all external support is forbidden  

Staged in-line race; one stage a day; one category only classifying racers individually; allowances for age and gender

Fabulous prizes: 1st prize  2 350 Euros
Each participant gets free t-shirts, a certificate, the full route GPS tracks and an online gallery of photos he can download. Special racing jerseys for all Finishers.

Shortest stage - 95km; longest stage - 162km; average stage - 125km; a total of 17 000m Vertical climbing.

Our Guys

Competing as Team Zone 1 are Ross Phillips, Guy Gorrell, Doug Terry and Steve Brewis.

At the end of 5 Stages Guy, Terry and Steve are sitting in 51,52, and 53 respectively and Ross in 71

... to learn more about the race and see the results in more detail click here 

Back

Melissa "Missy" Giove

Missy forged the path for mainstream professional downhill mountain bikers around the globe. A serious force of nature, Missy (42) did not earn her nickname The Missile for nothing.

... to read more click here

Jane Eccles


In 2005, a few days after giving birth, Jane and her family were told she had just hours to live. She had contracted Necrotising Fasciitis (NF) and it was very quickly ripping through her body.

Thankfully their prognosis was not correct, but for Jane this was only the first battle of many. Extensive surgery was required to get rid of the NF, one which involved the removal of her abdominal muscles. As she lay in intensive care, it was becoming clear that her physical ability would never be the same again.

... to read the rest click here

Tara Llane

Tara Liane's incredible story is not one of how she became paralyzed crashing in a downhill mountain bike race back in 2007 but rather one of determination, drive and the positivity.

The four-time national bike champion may have lost the use of her legs but she is living proof that you can always come back fighting and if you have the will, energy and competitive spirit can help you to achieve what others would deem impossible.

... to read more click here

Eileen Gray

One of the pioneers and champions of women's racing is Eileen Gray. It's a name that might not be familiar to many, but the incredible vision and hard work of this woman made a significant contribution to establishing women's cycle racing on the national and international stage.

... to read more click here