Gonzalo Inguanzo and Lucia González triumph in Melgaço in the 1st Portuguese Cyclocross Cup 2025 – UCI C1
Melgaço once again established itself as a premier destination for outdoor sports, hosting the 1st Portuguese Cyclocross Cup 2025 – UCI C1 on October 18, 2025, as part of the 9th Melgaço Cyclocross.
The organization was led by Melsport – Melgaço, Desporto e Lazer E.M., with the support of the Portuguese Cycling Federation (FPC) and the Melgaço City Council, reinforcing the municipality’s commitment to hosting major sporting events.
A season kickoff at the highest level
The UCI C1 international category race marked the beginning of the national cyclocross season, bringing together athletes from various age groups—from U13 to Elite, including Masters and Paracycling—on a technical and challenging circuit located near the Melgaço Training Center.
The course, with demanding climbs, sandy areas, ramps, and technical descents, provided thrilling races and a true spectacle for the audience.
Among the international elite, Spaniard Gonzalo Inguanzo demonstrated all his strength and consistency, triumphing in the Elite Men’s category, while Lucia González dominated with authority in the Elite Women’s category, confirming the favoritism and prestige that the Nesta–MMR CX Team athlete already brings to international tracks.
International Participation Highlighted
Jorge Domingues, Executive Manager of Melsport, highlighted the quality and scope of the event:
“Excellent participation, with 40% of the athletes being foreign, demonstrating the importance of Melgaço on the national and international scene.”
Tribute from the Portuguese Cycling Federation to the Municipality of Melgaço
The Portuguese Cycling Federation honored the municipality of Melgaço for its involvement in and promotion of cycling, presenting a Portuguese Cycling Cup Leader’s jersey to the outgoing Mayor, Manoel Batista, and the incoming Mayor, José Albano, in a symbolic ceremony recognizing the municipality’s role in supporting and developing national cycling.
Melgaço Reaffirms Its Position as the Capital of Outdoor Sports
With stunning landscapes and an infrastructure ready to host large-scale events, Melgaço once again proves itself a prime location for major national and international cycling events.
The competition continued the following day, with the second qualifying stage of the Portuguese Cup, category C2, held in Vouzela, thus continuing the sport’s national circuit.
Young talents in the spotlight
The future of cyclocross is assured! The young athletes showed their grit and determination, delivering intense and exciting races.
U13 Boys Results
🥇 Salvador Novais
🥈 Carlos Martins
🥉 Gonçalo Matias
U13 Girls Results
🥇 Elena Guerra
🥈 Leonor Faria
U15 Boys Results
🥇 Samuel Gomes
🥈 Tomás Vigário
🥉 Breixo Rodriguez
U15 Girls Results
🥇 Matilde Fernandes
🥈 Áurea Augusto
🥉 Beatriz Cigarrosa
Technique, Competitive Spirit, and Inclusion
The Men’s Masters and Paracycling competitions brought grit, technique, and sportsmanship to the track, in an atmosphere of fair play and passion for the sport.
The U-17 and Women’s Masters also showcased the strength and determination of the riders.
U17 Women’s Results
🥇 Matilde Correia
🥈 Mariana Ribeiro
🥉 Carolina Aurélio
Men’s U17 Results
🥇 Rafael Inácio
🥈 José Gomes
🥉 Luís Ferreira
Veterans in the Spotlight
In the veterans’ divisions, experience and technique were on display. Miguel Llaneza (Cayon Bikes) and Patrícia Rosa won the Masters 30, while Ismael Graça (Castelo Branco Cycling Club) and Ana Barata (Pódio em Movimento) excelled in the Masters 40.
In the Masters 45 and 50, the winners were Rogério Matos (Rompe Trilhos/Ajpcar) and Marisa Costa (Korpo Activo/Penacova). António Passos (Rompe Trilhos/Ajpcar) triumphed in the Masters 55, and Dário Freire (Farto C.C.) took the Masters 60, bringing the more experienced teams to a successful conclusion.
U-19: excitement at the highest level
The youth demonstrated strength, technique, and determination in the U-19 competitions, with Melgaço hosting some of the country’s most promising cyclists.
Women’s U19 Results
🥇 Mirari Gotxi
🥈 Rita Fontinhas
🥉 Jara Portero
Men’s U19 Results
🥇 Martin Fernandez
🥈 João Vigário
🥉 Samuel Castiello
Elite and U-23: Power and Spectacle
The Elite Women’s and U-23 athletes shone in Melgaço, in an event of the highest technical level, with power and determination at every turn.
Women’s U23 Results
🥇 Ana Lopez
🥈 Enora Aveline
🥉 Margarida Vasconcelos
Elite Women’s Results
🥇 Lucia González
🥈 Sara Cueto
🥉 Sofia Rodriguez
In the Men’s and Under-23 Elites, the show was guaranteed with an intense rhythm from start to finish.
Men’s U23 Results
🥇 Rafael Sousa
🥈 Nathan Graça
🥉 Unax Galan
Men’s Elite Results
🥇 Gonzalo Inguanzo
🥈 Rafael Sousa
🥉 Matéo Jot
Melsport and the municipality of Melgaço would like to thank the Portuguese Cycling Federation, the UCI and the Minho Cycling Association for their support, trust and partnership in organizing the event, which has further increased the visibility of cyclocross in Portugal and internationally.