Struggling with stress, according to Nych
Artem Nych Defends Title in 86th Tour of Portugal
Artem Nych, the defending champion of the Tour of Portugal, has maintained his lead in the 86th edition of the race. The Ukrainian cyclist currently holds the yellow jersey with an 8-second advantage over Bryan Munton, who is in second place, and Peña trailing by 12 seconds.
Nych, who has won several major races this year, including the Douro Internacional and O Jogo Grand Prix, is confident about his chances in the upcoming stages. The race will feature a challenging Torre summit finish on stage 7 and a final individual time trial on stage 10, both of which are crucial for the general classification contenders.
"I hope the race will be easier, but I know it won't be," said Nych. "The upcoming stages are going to be tough, especially after the rest day. They could critically impact the race outcome."
Nych's team, which includes Alexis Guérin, Jesús David Peña (AP Hotels & Resorts-Tavira-SC Farense), Jonathan Caicedo (Petrolike), and the Caja Rural team, is considered a strong contender for the final victory. Nych, however, does not consider himself the sole leader of his team.
"I don't consider myself the sole leader of my team," said Nych. "We all have our strengths, and we work together to achieve our goals."
Nych's sensations do not always match what happens on the road, according to his own admission. This was evident in the penultimate stage of the 2024 race, where he seemed out of the running for a podium finish but managed to win.
"What happens during the year is not always reflected in the results of the national calendar's crowning event," said Nych. "You have to remain focused and keep pushing until the end."
Nych's training has become more certain and relaxed with the help of a coach. This, he believes, has prepared him better for the 86th Tour of Portugal, which has five summit finishes and six medium/high mountain stages.
"I feel better prepared for this year's race," said Nych. "I've been training harder and smarter, and I'm confident that we have a very strong chance in the 86th edition."
With the race concluding on August 17 in Lisbon, it remains to be seen if Nych can defend his title successfully. The competition is fierce, with Munton and Peña hot on his heels. But Nych is undeterred and ready for the challenge.
[1] Source: Cyclingnews.com
"Following his winning streak in Portugal, Artem Nych will aim for the news in sports as he battles for the title in the 86th Tour of Portugal."
"In an interview, Artem Nych mentioned the challenging stages, particularly the Torre summit finish on stage 7 and the final individual time trial on stage 10, as critical for the race outcome."
