Pimoz Roglic of LottoNL-Jumbo has won the 43rd Volta ao Algarve.
Primoz Roglic led going into the final stage of 179.2kms from Loule to Alto de Malhão and it was a stage that did not see a break get established until fifty kilometes had been raced.
Twenty one riders in Oscar Gatto (Astana), Michael Schwarzmann (Bora-Hansgrobe), Alberto Bettiol (Cannondale-Drapac), Sep Vanmarcke (Cannondale-Drapac), Arnaud Démare (FDJeux), Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal), Dries Devenyns (QuickStep Floors), Benjamim King (Team Dimension Data), José Gonçalves (Katusha-Alpecin), Maurits Lammertink (Katusha-Alpecin), Timo Roosen (Lotto NL-Jumbo), Philippe Deignan (Team SKY), John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo), Geoffrey Soupe (Cofidis), Aleksei Tsatevich (Gazprom-Rusvelo), Juan Arboleda (Manzana Postobon), Jesper Asselman (Roompot-Nederlandse Lotery), Andre Looij (Roompot-Nederlandse Lotery), Pieter Vanspeybrouck (Wanty-Groupe Gobert),Jesus Del Pino (Efapel) and Raul Alarcón (W52-FC Porto), got into the break.
They were more than 2.30 ahead when Asselman took the third category Monte da Casinha climb points after 79kms.
Arboleda took the next climb with Greipel taking the sprint before Juan Osorio took the climb as the riders started on the final lap with forty kilometres to go.
Osorio took the next climb but there was a split in the break and José Gonçalves, Benjamin King and Michael Schwarzmann went away with thirteen kilometres left.
With seven kilometres left, there was seven riders in the front with a 52 second lead over a Team Sky led peloton.
Onto the final climb and the break was over apart from Lammertink dangling out front and Dan Martin in the KOM jersey was handily placed as was the race leader.
In the final kilometre, Amaro Antunes attacked as Lammertink was swept up, roared on by big crowds and the W52 FC Porto rider rode away to take the win in 4.29.28 ahead of Vicente Garcia and Tiesj Benoot.
Primoz Roglic finished in fifth place and took the overall victory, by twenty two seconds and said: "We did a great job and controlled the race. It was up to me but I did it and we can celebrate a great victory. "It was hard and I managed to fight it. "We will see what the future brings and I am looking forward to more week races."
Article by Kev Monks for Digital Sports Group
Source: DSG
