La Vuelta 2024:- Stage 3: Lousã – Castelo Branco, 191.2km ***Spoilers***

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Stage 3: Lousã – Castelo Branco, 191.2km

Monday 19th August.

Start Time: 11-50BST.

The final stage to be held in Portugal will be more rugged than the ones before it, featuring a Category 2 climb at the halfway mark. Although it will consist of very winding roads, the final part will be far more manageable. At 182 kilometres, the 3rd stage of La Vuelta is played out in the Portuguese interior. The riders tackle an elevation gain of roughly 2,700 metres. Riders set off from Lousã to head for the Serra da Estrela before finishing in Castelo Branco. The riders clip into their pedals in Lousã and head in northeasterly direction to penetrate the Serra da Estrela. Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain range in mainland Portugal. Reaching to 1993 metres above sea level.

Profile.

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Map.

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The Climb.

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Final Kilometres.

The final 30kms of the stage are flat, with less technical roads.

What to expect.

The run in gives the sprinters’ teams ample time to chase down the day’s break, although the breakaway will always have a chance, if nobody is prepared to sit on the front all day.

Lousã

Lousa makes its debut hosting a La Vuelta stage departure.

17,006 inhabitants

Located right in the heart of Portugal, Lousa is a treasure surrounded by the natural area that gives it its name: The Lousã Mountain Range. Arouce Castle, a historical watchtower, overlooks the valley. In Lousa, time takes on a rhythm of its own, allowing visitors to become submerged in the true essence of Portuguese life. The oldest evidence provides an indication of a human presence in this territory from the Roman occupation of the Iberian peninsula.

Chanfana

Chanfana is a hearty goat (or lamb) stew that is assembled and baked in clay pots. The meat is generously seasoned with paprika, garlic, bay leaves, and piri-piri. The combination is then doused in copious amounts of red wine. Chanfana is cooked for hours until the meat is tender and the sauce thickens.

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Castelo Branco

Castelo Branco makes its debut hosting a La Vuelta finish-line.

52,272 inhabitants

From one castle to another, La Vuelta 24 will conclude its passage through Portugal at Castelo Branco. With its steep, cobblestone streets leading to the locality’s castle, Castelo Branco’s most characteristic elements are its bedspreads. Made using linen that is embroidered using different coloured silks, these bedspreads can be admired at the Museo Francisco Tavares Proença Júnior, dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Castelo Branco’s artisanal heritage.

Pastel de Tentúgal

Regarded as one of the seven iconic dishes of Portuguese cuisine, pastel de Tentúgal is a traditional Portuguese pastry with an intriguing history dating back to the 16th century. It is made with doce de ovos, a traditional Portuguese egg custard that is wrapped in paper-thin dough, then baked until golden brown and crispy.

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"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.

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