The final stage of the Volta ao Algarve commenced this morning in Faro, with Juan Ayuso of Lidl-Trek holding a narrow seven-second lead over Paul Seixas of Decathlon CMA CGM Team in the general classification. The correction to the GC rankings, reversing an initial seven-second gap to fourteen, adds further intensity to the 148.4-kilometer route culminating in the summit finish at Malhão (Loulé).
Yesterday saw Paul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep) secure his second stage victory of the race, winning a sprint finish in Lagos. Magnier, already wearing the green jersey as leader of the points classification, launched his sprint with 175 meters remaining, finishing ahead of Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) and Oded Kogut (NSN Cycling Team). The Frenchman described the day as “super good,” praising his team’s control throughout the stage, despite a “chaotic” final three kilometers.
However, the day’s racing also brought a setback for UAE Team Emirates, with António Morgado withdrawing due to illness. Morgado’s absence is a blow to João Almeida’s ambitions, as he had been a key support rider in the overall pursuit. Almeida currently sits third 44 seconds behind Ayuso.
The Volta ao Algarve’s penultimate stage saw Ayuso maintain his overall lead, finishing safely within the bunch. The top ten in the general classification remains tightly contested, with Kévin Vauquelin (INEOS Grenadiers) in fourth, Thymen Arensman (INEOS Grenadiers) in fifth, and a cluster of riders within a minute of the leader. The race has been characterized by close racing and tactical maneuvering, setting the stage for a dramatic finale on the slopes of Malhão.
Earlier in the week, Magnier also claimed victory on stage one, winning a sprint finish in Tavira and initially taking the overall lead. João Almeida finished the first stage with the same time as the winner. The race has already demonstrated the Soudal-QuickStep sprinter’s dominance in sprint finishes, but the mountainous final stage presents a different challenge.
