Thomas Leads Volta ao Algarve Going Into Final Stage

25 February 2015 04:54

Welshman Team Sky Geraint Thomas leads going into the final stage of the Volta ao Algarve after a fourth place finish in the queens stage of the race.

Stage Four was a 212km stage from Tavira to Malhão and saw Davide Malacarne (Astana), Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal), Adriano Malori (Movistar), Mauritis Lammertink (Roompot), Kamil Gradek (ActiveJet), Filipe Cardoso (Efapel) and Beñat Txoperena (Murias Taldea). break early, getting two minutes ahead after thirty kilometres.

Gradek took the first sprint in Cacela and with a lead of 4.30, Txoperena took the second sprint after 85kms in Alcoutim.

Malacarne took the first KOM climb in Malhão but Tony Martin of Etixx Quick Step was on the attack and helped end the break with Team Sky paying close attention.

Zdenek Stybar took the second KOM climb in Ameixieirinhas ahead of Richie Porte and Geraint Thomas.

Stybar was only allowed to get five seconds clear of Porte, Thomas and a group of thirty riders and on the climb up to the finish line, Porte and Thomas attacked with such force that the group with them was reduced to nine riders.

Porte made his move and took the win in 5.55.34 with World Champion Michael Kwiatkowski finishing second, some three seconds behind the Australian. Movistar's Ion Izagirre was third and nine seconds after Porte finished, in came Geraint Thomas to keep his lead in the race going into the final stage with a 27 second lead over Kwiatkowski.

Porte told TeamSky.com about his win: “I never really thought that a win would be an option for me going into today. It’s always great to win a stage but it was all for G going into today. The guy has done me that many favours and put his race on the line that many times for me. To win that stage and have him retain his GC is an unbelievable day for us – and then you hear that Froomey has won and taken the lead in Spain. It’s incredible!

“I think all the boys today were massively committed. With Ben Swift, Lars-Petter, Salva, Sebastian and then the guys at the start – Andy Fenn and Boswell – riding all day. They really set it up for G and I.

“Quick-Step made the race hard and were trying to disrupt the rhythm. It wasn’t ideal for me to have to ride that early but I didn’t have much choice. It worked out okay! On this climb every time Sky have ridden it we’ve won which is an awesome achievement.”

Source: DSG