Last year saw many of the top riders from Portugal not take part due to being apart of the Sport Lisboa a Benfica squad that disbanded after the season, however this year they are all back to challenge for the national champion.
The favourites are Machado, Costa, and Paulinho.
It's pretty obvious it is going to be everyone against Cerne since they bring 24 riders in 3 seperate squads. In total 34 portuguese riders are set for battle.
Early on Cerne are just playing games with the other 10 riders be sending out a guy into the breakaway and then pulling it back a few kilometers later.
After a while Cerne finally decides to stop ticking off the rest of the peloton and let their own rider Martins and Sousa go.
As they easily get 5 minutes, Cerne starts to go over Sousa resume and decided Martins may need a little help so they send Cunha.
Back in the peloton the favourites react with 30kms to go... Somebody should tell them that the duo of Martins and Sousa are 10 minutes up the road!!! Cerne's false tempo the entire race has thrown off the other riders.
Cunha is still chasing the two leaders, but with 5kms to go Sousa has broken his teammate Martins. Has Cerne finally lost control of this race?
Cerne dominated throughout the day and even finished with 7 riders in the top 10, however the only result that counts is 1st. Very disappointing rides by Machado, Costa, and Paulinho who really never gave themselves a chance.
Just like the road race the time trial has the same three favourites, Machado, Costa, and Paulinho. However, lucky for them, the race against the clock doesn't provide any surprises. These three were a level above else on the day.
Rui Costa is putting the pressure on. Can Paulinho or Machado turn back the clock to get back into this?
Paulinho is the first one to finish, smashing the previous best set by Nelson Oliveira with a time of 1h11'40".
Pro Tour rider Machado can't handle the time set by Paulinho. Surely Pearl Adidas will be disappointed with his performance after being named the top favourite.
Paulinho doesn't have to hold his breath for long as Costa comes in right behind Machado. And I mean right behind Machado, easily setting the best time and becoming the Portuguese TT Champion by 25 seconds.
