Rui Oliveira pauses climb to Torre to hug Pepe

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Portal dos Dragões

·10 August 2026

Rui Oliveira pauses climb to Torre to hug Pepe

During the climb to Torre da Serra da Estrela, in Covilhã, Rui Oliveira, of UAE Emirates, stopped to greet Pepe. The former defender, 43, took up cycling after bringing his football career to an end and has shared several moments with leading Portuguese cyclists. On Sunday, it was Pepe's turn to return the gesture, hugging Rui Oliveira and leaving him a message of encouragement.

Rui Oliveira started in the yellow jersey, but ended up losing it to Frenchman Alexis Guerin, of Anicolor. The new leader holds a 1:26 advantage over Russian rider Artem Nych, also of Anicolor and the two-time defending champion. The Portuguese rider, meanwhile, dropped to 52nd place, almost 18 minutes behind the yellow jersey.