Artem Nych has done it again. For the second year running, he claimed the overall victory at the Volta a Portugal. After the final stage, where he finished second behind his teammate Rafael Reis, the Anicolor / Tien 21 rider from Russia was beaming.
“I am very happy to win for the second time,” Nych said. “I am also happy for my team. They always help me. Everything went well.” He felt a different vibe this time around. “This victory is very different from last year’s. Perhaps it was a win with more confidence, but I am just as happy as last year.”
His teammate, Alexis Guérin, finished second overall. The Frenchman poured praise on the race itself. “Before the Volta, I said this race was similar to the Tour de France for a team like ours and a country like Portugal,” Guérin shared. “I am convinced this is one of the five biggest stage races in the world.” He was thrilled with the team’s success. “I am happy to be second and Artem to be first. But we must remember that these results are not just ours. They are the result of a team, a group that worked together.” Guérin got emotional on the podium. “So many emotions appear,” he said, wiping tears. “I do not need to explain. I think you can see it.”
Byron Munton, a South African from Feirense – Beeceler, was the “intruder” on the podium. He stood beside the two Anicolor / Tien 21 riders. Munton was equally pleased with his third-place finish. “It could not have gone better,” he stated. “I am extremely happy to stand on the podium for this team. We came here with a team that was not the strongest. But we rode smartly and ended up on the podium.” The support from his teammates meant a lot. “It means so much. This is what we worked for. It is a result for everyone.”
Local Heroes Share Their Thoughts
The race also showcased strong performances from Portuguese cyclists.
Tiago Antunes (Fifth Overall)
Tiago Antunes secured a strong fifth place in the general classification. “I am satisfied with the final overall result. That is the most important part,” Antunes explained. “Being the best Portuguese rider comes as an added bonus. It feels very good. I feel like I had a good Volta and was very consistent throughout the days. I am very happy about that.”
Hugo Nunes (Mountains Classification Winner)
Hugo Nunes clinched the mountains jersey, a prized possession. “Being in this atmosphere is fantastic,” Nunes said. “It is the dream of any cyclist to be on the final podium of the Volta a Portugal.” He achieved two team goals. “I won the jersey and a stage victory. The third goal was for Emanuel Duarte to be in the top 10. He rode very well today and moved up to eighth place overall.” Nunes admitted something personal. “I will be honest, I felt more emotion in the stage I won. I had already won the mountains jersey in 2020. But, of course, I am very happy.”
Lucas Lopes (Youth Classification Winner)
Lucas Lopes, despite the fatigue, celebrated his victory in the youth classification. “My body already feels the tiredness,” Lopes noted. “This was my first time in such a long race, 11 days. But I think I started very well. The main goal was to take this youth jersey, and I succeeded.” He knew his rival, Zac Marriage, would be tough. “I already knew he would do a great time trial. He is a specialist.” Lopes is the national U23 champion, but his time trial is “more for defending than for winning.” Taking the youth jersey brought him great joy. “It is a feeling of great accomplishment and happiness. It is all the work behind it that bore fruit.” His season is not over yet. “The season has not ended. I will now head to the Tour de France de l’Avenir and plan to compete in the race.”