Located in the northern part of Portugal, the Paiva River is a beautiful secret left untouched by humans but inhabited by endangered species throughout its valley.
It was on this idyllic place that the famous "Passadiços do Paiva" (Paiva Walkways) were built. The plan was simple, let tourist experience the contact with nature without destroying it! The walkways became so famous that a race was introduced during S53 on the...
Read moreLocated in the northern part of Portugal, the Paiva River is a beautiful secret left untouched by humans but inhabited by endangered species throughout its valley.
It was on this idyllic place that the famous "Passadiços do Paiva" (Paiva Walkways) were built. The plan was simple, let tourist experience the contact with nature without destroying it! The walkways became so famous that a race was introduced during S53 on the OCM Calendar. The "Corrida dos Passadiços" is a twisting race full of up and downs starting in Castelo de Paiva and finishing on the super hard climb to "Detrelo da Malhada".
The route tackles 9 short but steep climbs that will test both the best climbers and hillers in OCM! Without almost any flat kilometre, it requires a lot of technique to survive to the small and twisty roads of the region.
The first climb to "Alto de São Pedro do Sul" comes just after 20 km into the race. A 9 km long climb with 9% avg gradient is the perfect place for a Breakaway group to jump from the peloton. Anyone with an off day will for sure start to struggle here.
The route than heads south to “Cabril” where the second climb will start. 4 km at 10% up to "Sobrado". The rider will then climb "Serra do Montemuro" (7 km at 8,5%) and the climb to “Solgos” (3 km at 9%) where they'll reach the half point of the race.
The riders now descend to "Sul", the most southern point on the route, before tackling two long climbs in succession, the "São Macário"(9 km at 8,5%) and "Deilão" (6 km at 9%). With less than 50 km to the finish, this is the place to break the peloton and maybe try a long attack.
The last two climbs before the final one aren't too long. "Alto do Muronçal" (5 km at 10%) and "Vilarinho" (4 km at 4%) will allow the punchers to make a surprise attack and destroy the work of the pure climber's teams.
Now with the Paiva River on its back, the riders enter the city of Arouca, usually crowded with cycling fans, where they’ll find the start of the last climb, "Detrelo da Malhada". A mighty 12 km climb at 7% that must be attacked from start to finish giving no forgiveness to the fearful riders.
Anyone who can win this race has proven itself as one of the strongest riders in OCM and will for sure enjoy a great season ahead.
Link to the race profile and map:
https://www.bikemap.net/en/r/5974818/#11.37/40.9391/-8.2121
