It's a wrap

Another winner!

The Men's Podium is Complete

We have a winner

Towards the end of Day 2

The morning after the night before

And they're off

Rider Preview

Race Preview - The Route

Christophe Dijkmans

Ron van Roosmalen

António Dias

Jorge Manuel Garcia Rodriguez

Miguel Rola Costa

Sofiane Sehili

Joachim Lindhardt

Jana Mascha Lu Wahlig

Dino Ablum

Adrien Troesch

Simon deprez

Carlos Azevedo

Tiago Semedo

Gilles Van der Spek

Matt Whitehead

Steph King

Rui Tremoceiro

Joaquin Olguin

Clément Mahé

Rudi Bracher

Paula Soler

Sandor Decsy

Christian Bel

Vincent Szusta

Eric Bonnet

Omar Rubiano

Filipe Pinto

Artur Vieira

Andreas Steinke

Christel Vieth

Marcus Funken

Markus Frison

Media Car

![Artur Filipe](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5ERrLTvnvQOJBKyjnWntca/8249e3725b4d37de182c0793ead4acf8/Artur__Filipe.png)

Mixed pair __Christel Vieth & Andreas Steinke__ finished in 130 hours and men's pair __Artur Vieira & Filipe Pinto__ finished in 127 hours. Special thanks to Artur for many of the photos over the last few days.

![Carlos finishing](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2hVOgWJAqYeGi8S2wrmlZP/e9610ddd6c2203369ba79672b1549a6b/Carlos_finishing.png)

In the men's category, we saw 4 more finishers, __Adrien Troesch, Carlos Azevedo, Tiago Semedo and Matt Whitehead__.

![Tiago finishing](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/vRHpyoMQpIQB72gK20qSQ/4aafb5f64aebc1f2e47eb7d1c7f405bb/Tiago_finishing.png)

Carlos and Tiago rode to the finish together and were cheered up the final climb by Gilles who took the decision to scratch after riding 600km and bike toured a more direct route to the finish. 

![Matts Trek](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1vYzwLcsLhpCCpy745rfpN/a211c4a5f2d1d8aa07da970ebd08fc8d/Matts_Trek.png)

Tiago was the rider who came to the rescue of Sofiane and lent him a wheel before the start of the race. And Matt needs a special mention as he completed what was a particular tough offroad ultra on a Trek Domane with __35mm tyres!__

__Rui Tremoceiro__ didn't make it to the finish by the cut off time, but it was a great effort getting to within 100km of the finish. Also, __Steph King__ made the same decision as Gilles and toured to the finish after it was clear she wouldn't be able to reach the finish in time following the track.

![view](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5OfMu7wlhDRgL0mqTyv49Q/3f925aa35c9e9a39e6f4aeb2702c7d7b/view.png)

Finally, chapeau to every single rider that started the race, it certainly looked like a proper challenge. And congratulations to __Edgar Santos__, the Race Director for doing a great job in his first event.

![jana riding](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1uz5C7Iid0n8SmZaYTRmDV/9fde19ee954007b6eda36ef27d08a471/Jane_riding.png)

Just after midnight, __Jana Mascha Wahlig__ became the first women finisher in The GOATS in a time of 89 hours and 7 minutes. It was a great ride on what proved to be a really tough parcour. __Steph King__ has just reached CP4 at 500km and faces what looks like a tight race to finish inside the time limit on Saturday evening, let's hope she manages it.

![Finishers](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/JWnUe6igmLwCGHmwEkJGm/f7d735e40d4151ae80ada936abaa6743/Dam_hike-a-bike.png)

Other finishers since the last update have been __Sofiane__, who came in 6th overall in 83 hours despite having the relative luxury of hotel stops, __Joachim Lindhart__ in 85 hours after battling against illness and __Dino Ablum__ in 94 hours. 

![Pairs](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7xc3xunNAQg9Kn1iFMT03B/d1fb637b9c8c1f816c64aad570d965af/pairs.png)

In the mixed pairs category, __Christel Vieth & Andreas Steinke__ are at the 590km mark and in the male pairs, __Filipe Pinto & Artur Vieira__ are approaching the 100km to go mark so could make the finish today if all goes well.

![Giles Windfarm](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5rkLaAj1fJh9KcdyDsYDHc/2507eb4b4d14c617a78d4d8ced977d22/wind_farm.png)

Elsewhere, __Rui Tremoceiro__ who has been riding at a similar pace to Steph is just past CP4 at 513km so also has a challenge to make the Saturday evening time cut and __Gilles Van der Spek__ has just got to the 600km mark.

![Clouds](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3xGSkwnzrRyU7ZVRlGcIp0/c88c6cfe9f19d27de139fb58494cba8d/clouds.png)

![Ron](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5vFXPitXKRGk4RHLs5pvqf/212a8301b2c26d3dd4ea4f8951f01cb3/Ron.png)

After a close fought battle for the men's podium, __Ron van Roosmalen__ held onto 2nd place finishing just after midnight in 64 hours and 19 minutes and __Antonio Dias__ did some night riding to grab 3rd place in 71 hours 34 minutes, finishing just after sunrise.

![Jorge](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6q5KYSnNvFccKsR9Inf7aH/607b2b2ce250f02fba13eb84c30fd3c1/Jorge.png)

__Jorge Manuel Garcia Rodriguez__ is the latest finisher in 76 hours 42 minutes and previous podium contender __Joachim Lindhardt__ is back on the road after being the latest rider to suffer stomach issues.

There is a bunch of riders approaching the 50km to go mark, including leader in the women's category, __Jana Mascha Wahlig__ who is also in 8th place overall, just one place behind __Sofiane__. 2nd place __Steph King__ is another rider suffering with illness but she's battling on and approaching CP3 and halfway.

![Chunky](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4hS4jPwMz6SRyPI1Lpt2bX/aa344270a5700459bd3724a8c43be32b/rocky_terrain.png)

Speaking to winner Chris Dijkmans this morning, he was saying that the terrain was very chunky in places, which explains why the finishing times are a bit longer than some of the riders were planning on. And if anyone (like me) is planning to do the race next year, maybe a hardtail with small gears might be the right choice of bike. 


__Christophe Dijkmans__	is the first finisher of the first edition of The GOATS! After taking the lead after riding through the first night and taking a fairly short nap on the second night he completed the 740km in 56 hours and 35 minutes - a fantastic achievement. 

![Antonia Dias Sleeping](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/68VOZQhGu2FKgcnoCCt1Vx/49e6203511472ad20334a33373d6261e/Antonia_Dias_Sleeping.png)

__Ron van Roosmalen__ looks like he should come in second, as whilst his overnight lead has been cut, he's still 40km ahead of the race for the final step on the podium between __Joachim Lindhardt__, __António Dias__ and __Jorge Manuel Garcia Rodriguez__. There is only 7km between the three of them so it could come down to who's got the best legs for the final climb up to 1,993m at Torre.

![Steph](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2o8wqojTV60kwIYOqHwzpw/f4a2ecc7cd1fa7aa415bcce3e2e371d3/stef.png)

In the women's category, __Jana Mascha Wahlig__ continues her great progress and is now at the 560km mark. And __Steph King__, after her first decent night's sleep since arriving in Portugal is approaching 300km.

Stay tuned for the next update with news of more finishers.

![photo of bike shelter](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/62Jj8ym2KbbY0MEr3QdSMS/7016bc9afc92d5f95752012fd1c60520/photo_of_bike__shelter_.png)


As we are approaching the end of day two of The GOATS, __Christophe Dijkmans__ has taken a commanding lead in the men's category and at 560km is 80km ahead of the second place rider, __Ron van Roosmalen__. When I spoke to Chris before the race, he said he was aiming for a quick time and if he pushes through to the finish, he'll be on course for a time of less than 48 hours.

It's then a lot closer for the race to get on the men's podium with only 16km separating __Jorge Manuel Garcia Rodriguez__, __Antonio Dias__ and __Joachim Lindhardt__ who's back on the course after his mechanical.
![jana](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/j1Wq8MSrT00xQsVvuXUTd/3e1e9a5f642bbd0d5b7949ebe90b2d51/Jana.png)
In the women's category, __Jana Mascha Wahlig__ is having a fantastic race having covered 400km already and is the 7th rider on the trail overall, all despite a heavy fall yesterday. __Steph King__ in 2nd place and continues her steady ride.
![Artur](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/765MqaPRpAMfR2pN12rVhk/63589ca1e48e2224d34f7eba79eaf811/Artur.png)
In the pairs, all male pair __Artur Vieira__ & __Filipe Pinto__ are continuing into the late evening at 310km and mixed pair __Christel Vieth__ & __Andreas Steinke__ have taken the decision to overnight in Fundao at 270km. 

![Rudis handlebar bodge](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3PpR7NLrdMH7RqRW8TE42x/ed05874c452eca5ec820ca5302ac7a81/Rudi_broken_bars.png)

We have seen the third scratch of the event, with __Rudi Bracher__ succumbing to sickness plus a severe handlebar mechanical that was temporarily fixed (bodged?) by a trailside branch - I wouldn't have fancied the downhills with that set up!

![Giles](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7jU7R5oA9bpkRPu1U0Ncyj/c2a6570a171550e26d658bab766871d6/Giles_better_pic.png)

And finally, __Gilles Van der Spek__ continues his unbelievable positivity, if you haven't already, check out his Instagram for some truly uplifting footage.

That's it for today, let's see what the night brings.


An eventful night and morning at The GOATS...

![jana](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/72AFocqjghBioVYbquivoG/74c40f4a38ce830eeedd79756e05d297/Screenshot_20231003-075640.png)

In the women's category, __Jana Mascha Wahlig__ continues to power ahead only taking a short nap during the night and at midday has covered 310km. In the 26 hours of the event so far, she's only had a total of 4 hours stopping time.

In second place, __Steph King__ is making steady progress after a decent night's sleep and is at 165km.

Unfortunately, after all the mechanical issues, __Paula Soler__ has decided to DNF and looks like she's on her way to Covilha and civilization.

![Night rider](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5Crg1HGohsP3uZcK7hcW2s/eb332761c8836cf774a5b3d92b295427/Screenshot_20231003-075529.png)

In the men's, __Chris Dijkmans__ rode through the night and is now in the lead at 430km. In second place is __Ron van Roosmalen__ at 380km.
![Mechanic](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/69h6zEz5k4b93wY5FIWlfz/086683a5d62407ac897f1afd6de7ce1e/Screenshot_20231003-112209.png)
__Joachim Lindhardt__ suffered a snapped rear derailleur cable but managed to get to @wccyles and get it fixed, he's currently going back to where he left the track and could be in 3rd place when he rejoins.
![Clement](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6a87TwDhcWFSiVQT8xlrNy/e8efd65d814c6ac99b7b1b10086c2cd0/Screenshot_20231003-115323.png)
Previous leader, __Clement Mahe__ has had to scratch after a possible case of heatstroke or food poisoning led him to not being able to stop vomiting. Hope you feel better soon Clement.
![Sofiane](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7w4k0RzHaaQ2KcN1gW4fJY/1fce147a480776bf27e9193a1b27f25c/Sofiane.png)
Photographer __Ryan le Garrec__ capatured a rare moment of __Sofiane__ getting some sleep in a hotel during a race, proving that he is actually human after all.

![Bivy](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5h2oW129Tg3UmV1n30SPVw/8695816c7a6bed651fd4cb662dc641d1/Screenshot_20231003-0755232.png)

In the pairs, __Artur Vieira & Filipe Pinto__ took advantage of a short night's sleep under the stars and are now 35km ahead of __Andreas Steinke & Christel Vieth__. However, Andreas & Chrisel have a higher average moving speed so it'll be interesting to see where the four end up by close of play today.

Right, that's enough excitement for now, I'll post the next update late this evening.


The GOATS first day was a glorious one with wall to wall sunshine, stunning scenery and some nice trails.

![Clement](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/19u7VYI0JWXdffU4cWPTcW/584fb30a7ebacfd5b3dc429ada86ef4b/Screenshot_20231002-183459.png)

In the men's category, __Clement Maha__ took an early lead and has kept it all day reaching Checkpoint 2 and 250km just before 10pm. Also reaching CP1 and 5km behind is __Chris Dijkmans__ putting in another solid ride. Rounding out the top 3 is __Ron van Roosmalen__ a further 20km behind.

![Sofiane](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/0aqk3XgR8xolzz5Kd53xe/f75f2039bc0a8dd12186e35b998a430f/Screenshot_20231002-1508212.png)

Sofiane, as promised, is taking it 'easy' and is in 4th place, 15km behind Ron. He's said he'll be looking for a hotel and a shower after a sunny day in the saddle.

![Jana](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4UtQ3BXhuAId9kpXc6YLQJ/2e532ba6e48b46aa490d8c422fc3ce8f/Screenshot_20231002-183509.png)

In the women's category, __Jana Mascha Lu Wahlig__ has taken a commanding lead and has reached the 200km mark, she's also nicely in the overall top 10. __Steph King__ is in 2nd place at around 135km. Winning the award for battling against adversity is __Paula Soler__ who has numerous tyre & valve issues and eventually had to take a detour to a bike shop to get it fixed. She then returned to the point where she left the route and is battling on.

![Artur](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/13sRiAYd38Xf7EnMK7m6wn/c030c47c7682610962c295c277aebd58/artur.png)

It's super close in the pairs with __Andreas Steinke & Christel Vieth__ neck and neck with __Artur Vieira & Filipe Pinto__ but it looks like Andreas & Christel might have stopped for the night with Artur & Filipe carrying on, at least for a while.

![Joachim puncture](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/Hy1ecQiKhEaiusqbnyiGG/f8f63e9f665d82cf6e278413f28bb205/Screenshot_20231002-202846.png)

In other news, Paula and __Joaquin Olguin__ weren't the only ones suffering mechanicals as the media car was taken out of action in the first hour with a slashed tyre which meant that __Edgar__ the race director had to take a very long detour to Porto to get another vehicle. 

![Night time](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5sieDIz0PE1inpgtB6zpwG/a2843b805033f197c9af7ee72d8208cd/Screenshot_20231002-220029.png)

It will be interesting to see how many rider push through the first night and how many take a well earned rest. In any event, I'll update the situation tomorrow morning.


The first rider to watch is __Paula Soler__ from Colombia who's racked up a bunch of ultra races across the world including Transcrdileras, Bikingman Brazil, Race Across France and Evolution Gravel. She says that 'the races are her excuse to explore the world, eat a lot and have fun!'

![Steph King](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1PHbAYPQRjnkO0EVJG2hgS/43a504e73c8b42afda2aaabfd2d2dc84/Screenshot_20231001-204902.png)

Next up, is __Steph King__, who earlier this year completed Seven Serpents Quick Bite and Octopus Gravel. 

![Sofiane](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2GatZKCf12WEw3XPgMMiVg/204d094612112e3d0a3cdecf0f72595b/Sofiane.png)

In the men's category, 3 of the top 5 from The Bright Midnight are riding. Winner from that race, and most races he enters, is __Sofiane Sehill__ who needs no introduction. Although, he did say to me that he's a bit tired after a long season and his objective for The GOATS is to enjoy the course. Oh, and as you may have seen on social media, he left his front wheel in Paris, lets hope he can get a spare one in time.

![Clement](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1gbDZu5owf71gWmEhF9uSz/d1cba8acfddf6acbb9d81da90b488e10/Clement.png)

__Clement Mahe__ was 3rd in The Bright Midnight and has a number of other top 5 results under his belt. He said he's looking forward to what looks like a beautiful route and to start amongst friends. 

![Chris D](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5ZKt0bIxcKzXoIRKbb3O1W/bcaf975b253d9c9dc16cdac9a5ce238a/Chris_D.png)

Finishing off the Bright Midnight 3 is __Chris Dijkmans__ who also posted a podium place in Further Perserverence.

![Giles](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3ELZVn285fcpZB5xEhyg0s/169bcc5ca53ba9d6de93848729fc439f/Giles.png)

But definitely the most inspiring rider is __Giles Van der Spek__ who after a terminal cancer diagnosis has inspired thousands of people with his story of enjoying life and positivism. One of his recent achievements to to complete a 24 hour turbo trainer marathon on Brussel's Big Wheel. 

![Marcus Fu](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5MJiCUkkVGkNGP4SqDDkVE/6cad070b00325823408d5ef23bf7d97a/Marcus_Fu.png)

![Marcus Fr](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5bAtAtSgVm0QgQkEnhM97e/8da4714423f20d82c72ab1210dcc1e3b/Marcus_Fr.png)

Finally, in the pairs category, __Marcus Funken__ and __Marcus Frison__ from the world of Fitness Racing definitely have the muscles, but will that translate to a fast time in a gravel ultra?

And, chapeau to everyone that lines up on the start line, just starting an ultra is an achievement

Welcome to the first edition of The GOATS, a nice late season addition to Europe's ultra gravel scene. It's __740km and 16,500m__ of beautiful gravel trails starting and finishing in the Serra da Estrela National Park in central Portugal.

![GOATS Route](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4mDQ3I9kHhUIvNqse9w72o/1da859eee990c5f314d833816442f771/Route.png)

There are 5 mountains, 15 rivers, 6 historic villages, a high point of 1,993m and with some fairly smooth gravel and a 60/40 gravel/tarmac mix, it looks like it could be a __fast one for those at the front of the pack__.

![Lynx](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2NKqrnwb0EUO6s8CW2uq3Q/e919b9aa9ae87531cb390b773f4da59c/Lynx.png)

The first kms are a gentle introduction to the route and it should be fairly straightforward to Checkpoint 1 after 110km. The checkpoint is in the Serra da Malcata nature reserve with a __chance of seeing an Iberian Lynx__. 

After CP1, the route goes along the ridge of the Malcata and at 200km there's a 500m hike-a-bike section in Monsanto. Then at 245km there's a 10km gravel climb up to 1,220m and CP2 at Gardunha.

![GOATS Dam](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4eW81qNB4gIlGNYV4c66FS/e1df8523df9aa4a0daa1de758ca1d147/GOATS_Dam.png)

On route to CP3, there is a rolling tarmac section leading up to one of the highlights of route, the crossing of the __Santa Luzia Dam__ with a couple of hike-a-bike sections before and after the dam.

After 370km, the route goes through the Lousa mountain range, past the Lousa wind farm and onto CP3 on the slopes of the Trevim Pass.

![GOATS Singletrack](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6mtnLqVHCC0WVsxseUwfpO/8176a2eb12e07bacfdca376c73620eff/GOATS_Singletrack.png)

The second half of the route starts with a bunch of steep but not too long climbs in the Alto do Viero area with crossings of two of Portugal's great rivers, the Alva and the Mondego on the way to CP4 at the Palace of Bucaco after 500km.

Next up is some perfect gravel next to the Mondego, crossings of Roman bridges and Portugal's most spectacular singletrack, the __Gaios Trail__. 

![Top of Mountain](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4fnxPovyDeKYbtH6NzZMEe/c8101d5990470e413f42c7be357404b6/Domes_on_top_of_mountain.png)

And the final challenge is the Estrela Mountain and a climb to the mountain top finish at Torre at 1,993m. 

__The Weather __

Much of southwestern Europe is having yet another heatwave and despite an October start, the temperature on much of the route is forecast to be around __30 degrees centigrade__ during the day. The upside though is that it's likely to be dry for the whole race.


Martin Aylward

The Goats is a gravel cycling challenge that takes place in the heart of Portugal. With the late season start and a selection of dirt roads to tackle, this race will entice the gravel riders to do one last ride in this incredible scenery.

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