Figueira Champions Classic

The Figueira Champions Classic is a men's one-day bike race in Figueira da Foz, on the central coast of Portugal, held in February since 2023. Its second half is a circuit over two short, steep climbs, Rua Parque Florestal and Enforca Cães. The organizer's full title adds the sponsor, Casino Figueira.

The Figueira Champions Classic is a men’s one-day race in Figueira da Foz, a seaside town on the central coast of Portugal, held in February since 2023. Its second half is a circuit over two short, steep climbs, and António Morgado of Portugal won it in 2025 and 2026.

Casper Pedersen’s sprint in the first edition

The first race, in 2023, covered 190 kilometers and six classified climbs. The sprinters were out of the running with more than 50 kilometers to go. Rémi Cavagna attacked from far out with five others and stayed in front until 17 kilometers from the finish. His Soudal Quick-Step teammate Casper Pedersen then won the sprint of the small group that was left: there was a strong headwind in the finishing straight, and he waited until 100 meters from the line. It was his third race for the team. Rui Costa was fourth, the best of the Portuguese riders.

The Rua Parque Florestal climb on the finishing circuit

The second half of the race is a circuit around Figueira da Foz, covered three times in 2024, 2025 and 2026. Each lap has two classified climbs. Rua Parque Florestal is first category: a little over two kilometers long, with pitches of 16.5 percent. Enforca Cães is second category and less than a kilometer long, and from its top the road descends to a flat last kilometer.

Remco Evenepoel’s solo of more than 50 kilometers

In 2024 Remco Evenepoel rode the race as his first of the season. His teammates set the pace on the circuit, and he attacked 53 kilometers from the finish. Marc Hirschi followed for a moment, and Isaac Del Toro then chased alone until 27 kilometers from the line, when the gap was over a minute. Evenepoel won by 1 minute 48 seconds, with Vito Braet first in the sprint of the chasing group.

António Morgado, the first Portuguese winner

In 2025 Morgado was 21 and the Portuguese time trial champion. He attacked at the foot of the last climb of Rua Parque Florestal, with 21 kilometers to race. A group chased him to the line and Paul Magnier won its sprint, five seconds too late. “This is the only professional classic we have here in Portugal and to win it is a big deal for me,” Morgado said afterward.

A year later the race was decided on the two climbs of the last lap. Brandon McNulty led a group of seven clear the last time up Rua Parque Florestal, with his teammate Morgado in it. On Enforca Cães, seven kilometers from the finish, Alex Aranburu attacked and Morgado countered. Aranburu opened the sprint 200 meters from the line, and Morgado came past him. Through 2026 he is the only rider who has won the race twice.

Why was the 2026 race shortened?

Because of strong wind on the coast of central Portugal. About 15 kilometers were taken off the opening section, and the race covered 177.8 kilometers. In 2024 the race was planned over about 220 kilometers with four laps of the circuit, and was run over three laps and 192.4 kilometers.

In 2024 Remco Evenepoel attacked more than 50 kilometers from the finish and won alone by 1 minute 48 seconds. A year later António Morgado went clear at the foot of the last climb of Rua Parque Florestal, with 21 kilometers to race, and held off the chasers by five seconds to become the first Portuguese winner.