Portugal’s national track cycling team, led by Olympic champion Iúri Leitão, is aiming for strong performances and vital ranking points at the World Championships in Santiago, Chile, beginning Wednesday, even as the squad faces strategic omissions and the absence of its women’s contingent.
Coach Gabriel Mendes stated his goal is for the Portuguese team to achieve the “best possible competitiveness” at the event. He emphasized the importance of staying focused on the competition’s challenges and finding solutions during races.
Mendes underscored the team’s objective to secure the best possible results and gather crucial ranking points. These points are considered essential for future qualifications, similar to how they impacted entry into this year’s World Championships.
The coach confirmed that Portugal would not feature female riders in Santiago. The women’s endurance team failed to qualify through either nation or individual rankings, a shortfall the federation is actively working to address for next year.
While Iúri Leitão, an Olympic champion in omnium and madison, headlines the male contingent, Mendes noted the highly competitive nature of the World Championships. He acknowledged the advanced stage of the season and the unknown level of demand the team will encounter.
The roster also includes Diogo Narciso and João Matias. However, brothers Rui and Ivo Oliveira, both successful riders with Rui being an Olympic champion in madison alongside Leitão, were not selected for the event.
Mendes clarified that their exclusion was not due to any physical issues. He explained that athlete participation is managed within a broader, long-term program, meaning not all athletes can compete in every event.
Historically, Portugal has earned six medals at elite track cycling World Championships. Iúri Leitão secured gold in omnium in 2023 and silver in the elimination race in 2021. ‘Tata’ Martins won medals in 2020 and 2022, while Ivo Oliveira claimed two medals in the individual pursuit in 2018 and 2022.
The Portuguese schedule at the World Championships, all times local to Santiago, is as follows:
Wednesday, October 23:
* 7:43 PM: Men’s Elite Scratch Race – Iúri Leitão (final)
Thursday, October 24:
* 11:00 AM: Men’s Elite Kilometre Time Trial – Iúri Leitão (qualification)
* 12:00 PM: Men’s Elite Individual Pursuit – Diogo Narciso (qualification)
* 5:00 PM: Men’s Elite Points Race – João Matias (final)
* 6:20 PM: Men’s Elite Kilometre Time Trial – Iúri Leitão (final, if qualified)
* 6:58 PM: Men’s Elite Individual Pursuit – Diogo Narciso (final, if qualified)
Friday, October 25:
* 12:30 PM: Men’s Elite Omnium – Iúri Leitão (scratch)
* 3:28 PM: Men’s Elite Omnium – Iúri Leitão (tempo)
* 6:56 PM: Men’s Elite Omnium – Iúri Leitão (elimination)
* 8:18 PM: Men’s Elite Omnium – Iúri Leitão (points)
Saturday, October 26:
* 2:40 PM: Men’s Elite Elimination Race – João Matias (final)
* 3:58 PM: Men’s Elite Madison – Iúri Leitão and Diogo Narciso