Photos: Stefano Grasso / LGCT

Leg 11 of the high-octane 2016 season calendar sees the Longines Global Champions Tour head to the stunning setting of Cascais, Portugal. LGCT Ranking leader Christian Ahlmann (GER) will be back in action again, with the top German rider hungry to return to the podium and add more valuable points to his overall tally of 209 as the Tour gallops towards its final third.

Following last weekend’s results in Paris, the Championship battle has tightened dramatically, with drop scores coming into play, and just twelve points separating the top three riders. An impressive 7 out of the top 10 on the LGCT Rankings will be at the beautiful Portuguese setting this weekend, all vying for position on the leaderboard, and looking to knock Christian off the top spot. Two-time Tour Champion of Champions Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) will return to the stunning grass arena to do battle for the title fight, as will fellow contenders John Whitaker (GBR), Bertram Allen (IRL), Daniel Bluman (COL), Kevin Staut (FRA) and Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA), all of whom are looking to be on strong form as they head south for the 11th leg of the Championship.

The lively coastal town of Cascais near Estoril, Portugual, will play host to the Longines Global Champions Tour and new Global Champions League for the 11th year running, from the 7th - 9th July 2016. The wonderful parkland of Cascais is transformed for three days of high-calibre show jumping and has been one of the anchor destinations on the spectacular line up of unique destinations on the Tour’s calendar.

Also in the mix will be last year’s winner and former World Number 1 Scott Brash (GBR), with the top British rider recording his third Grand Prix win of the season at the stunning destination in 2015. Hot on his heels will be Belgium’s top rider, Gregory Wathelet (BEL), joined by his fellow countrymen Nicola and Olivier Phillippaerts (BEL). Olympian Ludger Beerbaum (GER) will also be in action for this round of competition, with the legend of the sport already securing two Grand Prix wins this season so far (in Hamburg and Chantilly).

Further heavy-weight riders such as Marco Kutscher (GER), Roger-Yves Bost (FRA), Lauren Hough (USA), Michael Whitaker (GBR), Ben Maher (GBR) and Laura Kraut (USA) will all be in action for this much-loved leg of the Tour, and with the likes of Laura Renwick (GBR), Emily Moffitt (USA), Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani (QAT), Jessica Mendoza (GBR), David Will (GER), Andreas Kreuzer (GER) and Jane Richard Philips (SUI), the scene is set for what promises to be another eclectic weekend of sport under the floodlights in Portugal.

Estoril has grown into a renowned international destination for world-class sport, hosting the America’s Cup sailing, golf, tennis, surfing and motorsports. Blessed with a fine climate most of the year, visitors flock to the coast to soak up the sun and enjoy the great landscape and attractions.

Cascais became the summer destination of choice for Portuguese nobility in the 1900s - it has since become a lively international beach resort. Down the road, Estoril’s famous casino is thought to be where Ian Fleming came up with the idea for Casino Royale, as he stalked Yugoslav double agent Dusko Popov at its tables. In Portugal there are palaces, museums and national parks to visit and the capital city, Lisbon, is only a short distance away with its top-class hotels, restaurants and bars. The Grand Prix of Cascais, Estoril is sure to be an exciting event, as riders fight for supremacy in the overall 2016 Championship Ranking.

For the full rider list, please click here.