“Rafael Reis, considered a prodigy in the time trial, will debut in the new season wearing the colours of the professional cycling team Efapel and will stay until 2022. He is a strong name that will integrate into the restructuring of the group that is led by Rúben Pereira”, said the team in a statement.
At 28, the Palmela cyclist is, according to his new team, “a powerful cyclist”, with particular recognition in time trials, and is considered to be perhaps, the greatest Portuguese specialist to be on the national squad.
“When assessing the cyclists honours, the year 2014 stands out, when he was ranked fourth in the U-23 World Championship against the clock, being just 18 seconds from being world champion. 2016 followed, where 10 victories which made him the cyclist of the year in Portugal, having won that same year the Grand Prix JN ”, the note highlights.
Rafael Reis, who this season represented Feirense and has already worn the yellow jersey in the Volta a Portugal on two occasions, said he was “very happy” for the opportunity to represent Efapel .“I hope it will be a successful year for us. We have a very high quality team and we will certainly be able to fulfil the desired objectives”, he added.
The cyclist began his career in 2013, at the Italian Ceramica Flaminia-Fondriest, having also passed through Tavira (2014-2015), W52-FC Porto (2016 and 2019) and the Spanish Caja Rural (2017-2018).