Paracycling World Cup
Luís Costa has finished the H5 time trial in fifth position following the first leg of the Paracycling World Cup in Adelaide, Australia. The police officer from Portimão completed the 15.6 km course in 25 minutes and 17 seconds, just over a minute and a half behind the winner. After the race, Luís explained that recent health issues had restricted his performance but, all things considered, “he can take it”.
Algarve football
Portuguese Primeira Liga: In the first Algarve-derby of the season, Portimonense comfortably beat neighbours Farense 1-0 thanks to a penalty from Brazilian midfielder Carlinhos. History was against the side from Faro, having never won in Portimão in six top-flight games. In truth, they never looked like ending their hoodoo, though it took a highly debatable penalty to separate the teams. Fran Delgado’s challenge on Alemão was reckless but appeared to make little or no contact. The referee pointed to the spot and Carlinhos made no mistake, giving the home side three much-needed points that moved them up to 11th position. Farense remains in 8th, three points ahead of their rivals.
Cycling
The 50th Volta Algarve (Tour of Algarve) will once again welcome some of the biggest names in cycling to the region. The event starts in Portimão on 14 February, where riders will undertake a 201 km stage that takes them through the mountains before ending with a sprint finish in Lagos. Among the main contenders of the five-day race will be Belgian star Wout van Aert, who will be making his Volta Algarve debut. With 44 stage victories to his name, including nine at the Tour de France, van Aert will start as one of the favourites, though fellow Belgian Remco Evenepoel will certainly be a strong contender, having won the race in 2020 and 2022. Full details of the route and riders can be found on the Volta Algarve website.
Motorsport
The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve will host 21 races in 2024. Portugal’s top motor racing circuit will feature a wide range of events, from the Algarve Classic to the Ferrari Challenge. Pick of the bunch will see the return of the MotoGP from 22-24 March, where locals will hope for victory from Portuguese hero Miguel Oliveira.
Rugbytots Lagos
Established in 2006, Rugbytots has introduced rugby to over 80,000 children in 20 countries. It is aimed at two to seven-year-olds with the primary intention of ‘making it fun’. Laura Cyfka has been running the Lagos branch of Rugbytots since early 2023 and has overseen considerable growth for young children in the area. Presently, she runs after-school clubs at the Colégio São Gonçalo in Praia da Luz but is in conversation with other schools about expanding the programme. There are also open classes on Sunday mornings at Aldeia Azul between 9.30 am and 11am, as well as a further indoor class in Praia da Luz.
The plans for further growth are currently being put into place. Laura hopes to start a class for five to eight-year-olds on Mondays at the football stadium in Lagos. There is also hope that, after positive conversations with the Divisão de Desporto, she can begin to offer beach sessions in Portimão. This upturn in popularity means that she is on the lookout for new coaches to join her team.
Contact Laura Cyfka for more details on laura@rugbytots.pt or visit www.rugbytots.pt
Cross Country Race
If you want to get involved in some competitive sport yourself, then why not take part in the Lagos Athletics Circuit starting with the 28th Barão de São João Cross Country Race?
The initiative aims to bring the practice of athletics to the public by carrying out a series of events, one for each freguesia, which will be scored for a final classification, after completing all the tests. The climax is the Baía de Lagos Race, when extra points are on offer. The dates are as follows:
28.º Corta Mato de Barão de São João: 18 February
21.º Grande Prémio de Atletismo de Odiáxere: 24 March
21.º Milha Carlos Cabral (Municipal Stadium): 21 April
33.º Grande Prémio de Atletismo do Luzense: 1 May
33.ª Corrida Baía de Lagos (Extra): 21July
Part of the City of Lagos Athletics Circuit), anyone can participate: professionals and amateurs. You can register on the Federação Portuguesa de Atletismo website.
Fitness
Lagos-based fitness instructor Ryan Smith has completed almost 13 hours of non-stop burpees in aid of the ‘Life For A Kid’ foundation. His attempt to break the world record in 24 hours had to be curtailed by a shoulder injury, but his magnificent efforts deserve to be lauded. Ryan raised a total of £2,600 for the charity.
Rising Star Rita Cardoso
Tumbling is a discipline where competitors perform gymnastic skills on a 25-metre sprung track. Huge congratulations to Rita and her coach, Veronica Paulo, for an extraordinary performance.
Twelve-year-old gymnast Rita Cardoso is very much one to watch for the future. Rita has just returned from the 2023 Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in England with a gold medal in Tumbling in the age 11–12 category. The young athlete, who represents Ginástica Clube de Loulé, is already the national champion of Portugal for her age group and can now add world champion to her impressive collection of achievements.
If you wish to publicise a sporting event or a ‘rising star’ contact our sports editor David Lugg: david@tomorrowalgarve.com
