The Goats 2024: Race Preview

Day 1 - Evening/Midnight Updates

Day 2 - Afternoon Updates

Day 4 Updates

The Goats 2024 Wrap-Up

__Welcome to the Second Edition of the Goats!__

As we approach the start line, making our final adjustments and catching up with the team and other riders, we’re excited for the days ahead in Serra da Estrela National Park in central Portugal. This year, the number of participants has grown from 23 to 88 riders from 17 countries, with the majority coming from Portugal, Germany, and Belgium. Unfortunately, Charlotte from one of the pairs was injured during a bike check ride two days before the start.

The route has been adjusted to better suit gravel bikes, with the removal of the Malcata mountain range and some downhill sections, while introducing Caramulo (CP3). The Goats is a fixed route with four checkpoints that cross four majestic mountains, historic villages, Roman ruins, and iconic Portuguese rivers, promising the riders an unforgettable adventure.

The riders will set off tomorrow at 9 am on a circular journey, covering 740 km with an elevation gain of 17,500 meters. The first 200 km consist mostly of rolling hills before reaching climbing territory, with mild temperatures forecasted. Wind and rain are expected (fingers crossed). Road conditions are good for now, but may change in some areas due to the rain.

*Good luck everyone!!*

![Goat Race Preview](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6rLXgM6Hkn5VEcxxsCm5t4/9f876df43007f02ad8499ead6a121e0f/Goats-1.gif)
*Social ride before the race (loving this vibe)*

Don't forget to follow [the Goats](https://www.instagram.com/thegoats.cc/) on Instagram (winks)

We’re 4 hours and 30 minutes into the race, and despite the rainy weather, the riders remain motivated.

Leading the pack are Fabian Wurm (23), Miguel Pecegueiro (50), and Sebastian Sarx (59). This is Miguel’s first ultra race, and he’s holding strong! So far, they’ve covered about 94 km.

Marco Martins (48), who finished the Gravel Birds race by the evening of the second day, is in 4th position, chasing the front pack. Although The Goats covers the same distance as Gravel Birds, it has more than double the elevation gain. I wonder what his strategy will be for this one—will he sleep or nap?

There have also been a couple of setbacks: Ron van Roosmalen (56) had to scratch due to a high fever—wishing him a quick recovery! Filipe Moreira (25) is facing GPS issues and had to stop for a replacement.

In the women's category, Urszula Zuchowicz (70) leads by 15 km.

In the pairs category, the race is tight, with Steven Kohl & Aline Barre (210) in the lead, closely followed by Philip Nusbaum & Till Hapig (209), just 3 km behind. In third position are Paulo Vieira & Rui Perez (201), 7 km behind the leaders.

Good news from the media car at the front of the route: the rain has stopped, and the clouds are clearing!

![Goats day 1 1](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3YlnH96gV1yxZneri7wxR8/4e63dcb49cae732a5b0f3e9ee91f3854/IMG_2844.PNG)

Day 1 - Afternoon Updates

15 hours in:

Filipe Moreira (25) is back in the race after replacing his GPS. Unfortunately, Luís Manuel Cordeiro (43) had to scratch due to gastric issues.

After a rough start, the rain eased up in the late afternoon, giving riders a break as they enjoyed the section between Monsanto and Idanha.

There’s been some reshuffling at the front. Marco Martins (48) is now in 1st place, leading by 37 km, with Antonio Dias (7) in 2nd. It looks like they plan to ride through the night. Meanwhile, Eduardo Gomes (20), currently in 3rd, is resting in a village.

In the women's category, Urszula Zuchowicz (70) remains in 1st place, having covered 222 km and leading by 57 km. Anne De Smet (5) is in 2nd place. Both of them are pushing hard, with only brief stops of 30 minutes. *We only have two solo female riders in this edition.* :(

In the pairs category, there are no changes in the top two positions. Steven Kohl & Aline Barre (210) are still in the lead, followed by Philip Nusbaum & Till Hapig (209), 23 km behind. Stevie Patrick & Colin Green (205) have moved up to 3rd place.

Some riders are calling it a day, while others push on. The weather isn’t looking too promising, so we wish the riders a good night’s rest and a safe (and warm) ride!

As the Goats make their way to CP2, Marco Martins (48), Antonio Dias (7), and Oscar Perez Lopez (51) are already en route to CP3. 

We’ve had two scratches: Fabian Wurm (23) due to severe stomach issues and Kamil Jacak (38) because of the flu.

Marco Martins (48) remains in 1st position, leading by 59 km, with 296 km remaining. With only 2.75 hours of stopped time, it seems like he’s preparing for a long haul without further breaks. Antonio Dias (7) is still holding 2nd place with 42 minutes of stopped time and 355 km left. In 3rd place is Oscar Perez Lopez (51), who has made good progress while others were resting.

Urszula Zuchowicz (70) remains the lead in the women’s category, 76 km ahead and 6th overall! With 6 hours of stopped time, she’s hopefully well-rested!

In the pairs category, Steven Kohl & Aline Barre (210) and Philip Nusbaum & Till Hapig (209) are still in 1st and 2nd places, respectively, with a 34 km gap. Both pairs have had substantial rest. In 3rd are Jenneke Jacobs & Maikel Wissink (208), 40 km behind.


Marco Martins (48) is holding strong, leading the race with 78 km to go! The ETA on his tracker is 5h15m. In 2nd place is Antonio Dias (7), trailing by 94 km. Oscar Perez Lopez (51) is in 3rd place in the men's category.

![Goats](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/76XWLddiEXR2Eoi1TlceXH/e070309bfa0c12a2ed47fcab520dbeb8/IMG_2860.jpg)

Urszula Zuchowicz (70) is still in 1st place in the women's category and 3rd overall! She’s had 4 more hours of rest since yesterday afternoon and now has 223 km left to the finish.

In the pairs category, Steven Kohl & Aline Barre (210), Philip Nusbaum & Till Hapig (209), and Jenneke Jacobs & Maikel Wissink (208) are still holding the podium.

Day 3 - Morning Updates

![Goats](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/36q6pkIV0pGC3msVYpvJNE/fd8ea52d4420300cd3a1ecd323bdc7fe/IMG_2889.jpg)

Marco Martins (48) finished the second edition of the Goats in 56 hours and 18 minutes. What a legendary ride. Congratulations Marco!!!

The Goats 2024: Winner

It’s been 4 days of unforgiving weather. Someone in the group said, "Three nights, three storms." I think that says it all.

The male podium is complete. Antonio Dias (7) finished 2nd in 72 hrs 5 mins***, and Eduardo Gomes (20) secured 3rd place in 75 hrs 39 mins***.

Urszula Zuchowicz (70) finished 1st in the women’s category, and 3rd overall, in 75 hrs 38 mins***.

*** 3 hrs 30 mins was deducted from their total time due to severe weather conditions. The section they were in was neutralized, and they had to stop until it was safe to resume.

*Congrats!!! What a ride!!!*

![IMG 2926](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/15jV8gOyKfAr91ATZGfgsf/8251883bd462dc2050f68ef4b74b97fd/IMG_2926.jpg)

![IMG 2921](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/67WRyoNZLFjNvwO8gPxIL4/b2887de7b856cf0490131b5206fd87de/IMG_2921.jpg)

The weather has made it extra hard for everyone. To date, we have 12 DNS, 32 DNF, 6 finishers, and 40 riders still pushing on.

We’re expecting the next rider home to be Gregor Towers (29), with 27 km left.

In the pairs category, Steven Kohl & Aline Barre (210), Philip Nusbaum & Till Hapig (209), and Bruno Ferraro & Tatiana Myk (207) are holding 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. 

![IMG 2928](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1WJFQHL3NwweJt0O6TsF4m/f2b68bfff7cae9a9e6ba68d24af0508c/IMG_2928.jpg)

*Nothing beats knowing you have fresh gear to put on after a good rest.*


The second edition of The Goats is likely to be remembered as one of the toughest, with challenging weather conditions in the mountains.

![IMG 3020](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7qRI9nYFyLTYzOIHjQlVP0/6da26fba76c7f8b378427eab4cdcd44a/IMG_3020.jpg)

Here are some words from the organizer:
> “Hello GOATS.
> 
> This edition has been extremely challenging and it is in the chaos that we see the determination of each and every one of you. I mean everyone: those who completed the challenge, those who consciously decided to postpone it until another time, and those who, due to mechanical problems, couldn't make it to the end.
> 
> Many were unfortunate to be caught in the intense storms. Believe me, it wasn't easy for us, but it was certainly much harder for you, and yet you overcame yourselves - even those who didn't complete the journey.
> 
> I hoped to be able to offer you the best of Portugal: its landscapes, the sun, and all that it represents together. Despite the unforeseen events, which were beyond our control, we are very grateful for the feedback we have received, which fills our hearts….”

Well done to everyone who made it to the starting line.

![IMG 3015](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/40n0KzKKUj24IJAnESbPDC/1eff2dfa500b1e636834bd8083e69968/IMG_3015.jpg)

Here are the top ten:
1. Marco Martins
2. Antonio Dias
3. Urszula Zuchowicz
4. Eduardo Gomes
5. Stefan Maertens
6. Oscar Perez Lopez
7. Gregor Towers
8. Joep van Luijt
9. Elias Reißner
10. Sérgio Lúcio

![IMG 3018](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5AtfVHUaUCogpxdOHaysSh/2ca77bfda608f0b2bab94a2c63d30b6c/IMG_3018.jpg)

I Hang Io

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.

The Goats 2024 Race Tracking and Commentary

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 wonderful scenery.

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The Goats 2024

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