STAGE 3 | VISEU - PENHAS DA SAÚDE (97km / 2958m+)

Today is the day we were all told was the big one and probably
the hardest stage in the race. I have to say I am quite apprehensive about the big climbs especially if it gets hot. Luckily, the weather gods are on my side again today and supply cloud and and lower temperatures for me. We don our WEC team jerseys and set off for the start.

The profile of the course is relatively easy for the first half and then hits two hard climbs and the stage finishes at the top of a mountain, We have been warned to save energy for the last climb as it is a bugger. The third stage is one of the shortest at 97k but takes a long time to finish. We are expecting to take over 7 hours.

Chris does some last minute body fettling at the start and then we are off. A nice rolling start and we try to reserve energy for the end of the day which we have been warned will be tough. 

Some cracking riding through sandy terrain with only smaller hills in the first part of the day. The sun is starting to show itself and though warm it is not a problem. I thank my lucky stars that it is cooler than normal.

We hit the first big climb and start grinding away at it and pick up some of the guys that charged off earlier that day. The plan to keep a steady pace rather than go hard is beginning to pay dividends.

The riding is great and scenery magnificent. More than once, I think how I would like to ride this at a relaxed pace and take a better look around. Looking at the arse on a saddle in front of you gets a bit dull after a while. 

The finish line is over the top of that mountain in the distance in this pic. Just at the end of the stage as we are coming to the finish, Chris makes a silly schoolboy error and sits up before the finish line - and drops back 10 seconds.....that will would be the last time he does that :-)

We finish at what is (the only?) one of  Portugal's ski stations. Not sure it will be on my list of places to spend a season but is a welcome spot this evening for some very tired bikes! I am glad to hand the bike over to the mechanics and not be bothered with cleaning and lubricating it.

The stage 3 race video:

The animated route: