Montejunto's 42-Year Absence Ends, Pushing Nych in Volta Showdown

Even veteran expats who think they know every climb between the Algarve and the Minho had reason to be surprised this weekend. After more than four decades off the race map, the Volta a Portugal returned to the Serra de Montejunto, delivering a dramatic mountain finish, a shake-up of local tourism expectations and one final examination for overall leader Artem Nych before the decisive Lisbon time trial.

A mountain overlooked for a generation

To many riders on the modern peloton, Montejunto was little more than a name on an old results sheet. The last time the Volta crested its narrow ridge was 1983; since then the hill has been synonymous with the smaller Troféu Joaquim Agostinho. That changed on 16 August, when the 86th edition’s 174.4 km stage rolled out of Alcobaça, snaked past the limestone caves of Mira d’Aire and finally climbed the 666 m summit that separates the wine valleys of Cadaval and Alenquer. The steeper final 2 km, averaging 8%, were classified first-category—high praise in a race better known for the endless ramps of Senhora da Graça and the Torre. For foreign residents used to planning Sunday rides around Lisbon or Sintra, Montejunto’s comeback signals that Portugal’s central highlands are ready to reclaim a place on the country’s elite cycling circuit.

A nail-biting finish crowns Tivani, but Nych keeps yellow

The day’s breakaway delivered vintage theatre. Argentine rouleur Nicolás Tivani (Aviludo-Louletano), Spaniard Pau Martí and compatriot Tomás Contte attacked early, gambling that the general-classification teams would hesitate. Their boldness paid off until the final kilometre, when Martí’s derailleur locked at the worst possible moment, leaving Tivani alone to seize the stage in front of a crowd that had hiked up from the convent ruins below. Behind them, Nych kept a cool tempo, marking rival Alexis Guérin and limiting losses to mere seconds. The Russian finished comfortably in the yellow jersey, still 39 s clear of Guérin and 1 min 17 s ahead of Colombian climber Jesús Peña. For viewers who only tune in during the Tour de France, the lesson was clear: Portugal’s grand tour may be shorter, but the plot twists are no less ruthless.

The Russian leader’s quiet revolution in training

Much of the talk at the team buses centred on how Artem Nych has morphed from a talented but inconsistent all-rounder into a rider able to blunt attacks on climbs he once feared. The Anicolor-Tien21 captain admits that until recently he designed his own programmes, often training “harder than necessary”. This winter he hired a full-time coach, ditched the guesswork and framed his build-up around power targets rather than kilometres. The result: back-to-back overall leads in 2024 and 2025, plus a newly steady cadence that withstood even the brutal Torre ascent earlier in the week. For expatriate cyclists wondering whether structured coaching really moves the needle, Nych’s season offers a compelling case study.

What the return means for Cadaval and the West

Local officials have spent years lobbying to bring the Volta back to the Oeste region, home to both Pêra Rocha orchards and some of Portugal’s most photogenic windmills. While no formal economic study is out yet, previous editions suggest the race injects a six-figure sum into host towns through accommodation, gastronomy and media exposure. Merchants in Cadaval reported fully booked rural stays and a run on grilled bacalhau the night before the stage. Regional planners also hope the TV helicopter shots—broadcast to more than 40 countries—will bolster efforts to certify Montejunto as a geopark, further diversifying an area that usually depends on agribusiness. For newly arrived residents looking to invest in wine, hospitality or outdoor tourism, the message is simple: visibility matters, and the Volta just handed Montejunto its biggest spotlight in 42 years.

Practical know-how for cyclists and spectators

If Saturday’s images have you plotting a weekend ride, remember that Montejunto’s switchbacks can feel steeper than the numbers suggest, especially when Atlantic winds whip across the ridge. Parking near the summit is limited; locals recommend leaving cars in the village of Vilar and pedalling up the final 8 km. Public transport is sparse, so renting a car from Lisbon (an easy 70-minute drive) remains the most reliable option. Bring extra layers—even in August temperatures can plunge once clouds roll over the plateau—and top up bottles at the café by the radar station, the only guaranteed water stop. For overnight stays, wine estates between Alenquer and Óbidos offer quieter alternatives to busier beach towns, and many speak English fluently thanks to an uptick in foreign guests.

Looking ahead: time-trial tension on the Tejo

The peloton now transfers to the capital for Monday’s 18 km individual race against the clock along the banks of the Rio Tejo. On paper the flat course favours power riders such as Guérin, yet Nych’s cushion means the Frenchman must average roughly 4 s faster per kilometre to take the crown—a tall order after nine punishing days. Whatever the outcome, Montejunto’s renaissance has already reshaped the narrative of this Volta and reminded international residents that Portuguese sport, much like the country itself, rewards those willing to explore beyond the usual postcard landmarks.