António Morgado didn't just become the first Portuguese person to place in the top ten of one of the five "monuments" that make up the calendar; he did more than just finish fifth in the Tour of Flanders, one of the most significant one-day events in the history of cycling.

In addition, António Morgado made history by being the youngest rider to place in the top five in one of the five most significant one-day races in 80 years at the age of 20 years and 63 days. Not even the renowned Eddy Merckx, Remco Evenepoel, or Tadej Pogacar accomplished it at such an early age.

After Rik Van Steenbergen, who won the Tour of Flanders in 1944 at the age of 19 years and 205 days, and Émile Joly, who finished third in 1930 at the age of 19 years and 356 days, the Portuguese cyclist from UAE Emirates is the youngest person to finish in the top five in Tour history.

Author

A passionate Irish journalist with a love for cycling, politics and of course Portugal especially their sausage rolls.

Rory Mc Ginn