The route of the fifth stage of the Volta a Portugal (Tour of Portugal), that takes place on Wednesday, has had to be shortened. The stage, which starts at Termas Monfortinho and finishes at Gouveia, will be reduced by 26 km from the original distance of 184 km because of the fires in the Serra da Estrela region, through which the race was due to pass.
With the aim of preserving the Cat. 1 climb of Torre, the stage will approach the climb via Covilhã and come up through Penhas da Saúde. From the top of the climb, the route will be unchanged to the finish in Gouveia. Despite being shorter, the stage should be more selective with the additional climbing.
