Joaquim Gomes, former cyclist and currently head of the main national cycling event, suffered head and arm injuries, but is out of danger.

"Fortunately I'm fine, but I can tell you one thing: in 18 years of cycling, I don't remember such a spectacular fall", he said while still in the ambulance, in statements to Rádio Renascença.

The accident has the additional curiosity of having occurred on European Car-Free Day (22 September).