Lés-a-Lés – Hundreds of motorcyclists depart from Penafiel towards the Algarve.

There are dozens of national titles in various modalities and many victories on world stages that stand out in the packed list of participants in the 8th Portugal de Lés-a-Lés Off-Road. Far from being a competition, it is simply a motorcycle tour that will connect, until Wednesday, the 4th, Penafiel to Portimão, with stops in Figueira da Foz and Estremoz. About 900 kilometers through some of the most beautiful off-road trails, among vineyards and olive groves, chestnut groves and oak forests, through mountains and valleys. Former riders who cannot resist, every year, the challenge launched by the Portuguese Motorcycling Federation to join hundreds of other motorcyclists in a touristic event that offers a unique opportunity to discover our country off the beaten paths. And that is indeed the great motivation of ‘Kees’ van der Ven, a Dutchman who was one of the great figures of world motocross in the 1980s and ’90s. Born in Bakel, a small village in the south of the Netherlands, a few kilometers from Eindhoven, van der Ven moved to Louriçal in 2015, a village in the municipality of Pombal with a similar size to his hometown. “Being able to ride a motorcycle on the mountain more easily was one of the main reasons for the move, besides Portugal having good weather, good food, and lots of sun.” But for Mr. Cornelius Egidius Maria van der Ven, at 66 years old, this will be a unique opportunity to get to know the country in a different way.

With 17 wins in races of the 125, 250, and 500 cc Motocross World Championship, he finished in the top three of the World Championship in all three classes six times and won the most mythical sand race, the Le Touquet Enduro, five times. Such a record, beyond driving experience, will count for little in the Portugal de Lés-a-Lés Off-Road. “The main goal is to have fun with a group of friends, including Gilberto (Jordão) who introduced me to this event and challenged me to be present. As for the rest, I don’t know what to expect from the route or landscapes.”

Lots of water in the luggage and trees to reforest Portugal

Of course, he could always ask for some tips from the award-winning Paulo Marques, Miguel Farrajota, António Oliveira, or Bernardo Villar, regular participants in the great crossing of the national map through dirt roads, fords, and some goat paths. Renowned pilots, all with many national titles, who attended the Technical Checks at the Penafiel Fair and Exhibition Center, a venue accustomed to hosting major events such as Agrival, one of the largest and most important agricultural fairs in the country. And from where, very early tomorrow, more than 300 motorcycles, organization included, will start towards Figueira da Foz, on a day that is expected to be extremely hot, with hard and dusty terrain, with the Organization advising participants to drink plenty of water.

First stage that will end on the Figueira da Foz waterfront (Av. de Espanha) right next to Forte de Santa Catarina, starting in the afternoon. Before that, however, around 11:30 a.m., time to continue the 5th Reflorestar Portugal de Lés-a-Lés campaign, with the planting of two oak trees at Escola EB 1 das Abadias, in a ceremony that will be supported by more than 70 students from the 3rd and 4th cycles. An initiative aimed at raising awareness of the need to revitalize the Portuguese forest, severely affected by fires in recent years. An awareness-raising action that stands out for its commitment to rehabilitating the forest in the most correct and balanced way, offering native species to the populations of the places where the caravan of adventure motorcyclists passes through.

Solidarity from Portugal to Gambia

But there was another champion who stood out in Penafiel, framed by the commemorative exhibition of the 40 years of a mythical name in off-road: the Yamaha Ténéré. Pol Tarrés is a trial and hard-enduro rider, famous for participating in competitions around the world at the controls of a ‘big-trail’, including some of the toughest world events. With fame doubled by the numerous videos where he shows how to ‘play’ with a 200 kg enduro machine, the nephew of the legendary Jordi Tarrés, seven-time Trial World Champion, is at the event of the Portuguese Motorcycling Federation, at the invitation of Yamaha Motor Portugal. And while on the day of the Technical Checks he limited himself to signing autographs, taking pictures and talking to the many fans, he will have a greater responsibility on Tuesday, at the Yamaha Oasis in Tomar, where he will sign and proceed with the delivery of a very special bike.

This is an exclusive Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Rally, filled with accessories, with the auction proceeds benefiting the Riders for Health Gambia program. The bike is decorated like the first motorcycle used in competition by the Spanish rider, and in addition to the rider’s personalized signature, it features an Akrapovič exhaust, a rally-type flat 2-piece seat, rubber side fairing protections, a raised mudguard suitable for off-road use, radiator, crankcase, and chain protections. A charitable initiative that supports the maintenance of the motorcycle fleet used to distribute essential prevention items, such as mosquito nets for malaria prevention, and allows for the regular opening of vaccination clinics against various diseases.