VOLTA AO ALGARVE

Last week saw me racing in Portugal, Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta. This was the second time I pinned a number for this race. Usually good weather, one hotel for the whole week, good food, long stages, what’s not to like about it. Perfect February race.

Team presentation, Volta ao algarve

Stage 1

First stage, first sprint. The break went within the first couple of kilometres. The rest of the stage was pretty relaxed. I found the peloton in Algarve much more relaxed than the one at Valenciana, where it was a constant battle for position. Here, everyone found their place, until the final where shots were being fired again. The stage ran along the same parcour as 2017 so we knew when to position ourselves so that we don’t get caught out. A crash at the front of the peloton on a small road 10km to go caused some stress. All of us were in the second group and with the race fullspeed ahead no one was waiting. Ben and I immediately went to the front to close the gap. New 1 min PB! Eddie and Scott did the sprint while Louis, Igor and Serge made sure they don’t loose time for their GC ambitions.

Stage 2

The profile can be deceiving. The stages were a lot more lumpy than what the profile made it to be. Stage two was a twisty roller coaster. We had to be attentive at the start and Ben did a great job to place himself in the break. He went on to score max KOM points. While Ben was up the road my job was to look after our guys in the peloton. We rode great this day. Everyone doing their part and being where they need to be. Once BMC started chasing the break it was an uncomfortable day. Leading up to the final climb, Alto de Fóia, we positioned our climbers so that they could start the ‘real’ climb in good position. I felt great during this stage and managed to pull until 9km to go. Louis tried his luck with an attack 5km to go which saw him move up to 10th on GC. All in all a really good day for us.

Stage 3

20 km ITT. Short stage, long day. We left the hotel 9 am already to go do a recon. Spinning our legs easy while checking out the route. Then back to the hotel for a quick lunch. Some rice and an omelette. Relaxed a couple of minutes before we were off again to the start. Again, the profile was deceiving. Undulating with fast flowing corners. I really liked the TT course. It was a technical course to control your effort with only a few short sectors to gain rhythem. Usually I struggle with this change of pace, but focussed hard on the strategy our DS, Bingen, suggested. Still lost a shit load of time to the winner.

Stage 4

Another sprint stage. Ben went in to the break yet again to score some more KOM points. We only caught the break a couple of kilometres to go so his effort was almost extra rewarded with an opportunity to sprint for the stage win as well. I looked after the guys in the bunch. There were some windy open sections so it was important to stay attentive all day. In the final I was supposed to help Eddie and Scott move to the front 2,7km to go. With the hustle I lost them 5k to go and wasn’t able to do so. Scott did a monster of an effort and positioned Eddie perfectly.

Stage 5

I remembered this stage from 2017. It’s a hard day on the bike. Narrow roads and hills all day. Just like 2017 the break took a while to go. This time, however, I was in a 30 man break with Igor and Serge. The group quickly opened up a gap and soon we knew this group would make it to the finish. Usually, big groups like this don’t work well, but this one maintened a high speed all day. I had to be attentive to make sure we don’t miss a split if this group starts attacking. We had a great opportunity to go for the stage win with Serge, who was flying. He whittled down the group going up Malhão the first time. I managed to get back on and coming in to the final we were maybe 15-20 riders leading the race. Stybar was up the road so I started riding to ensure he doesn’t get too big of a gap before the final climb keeping Serge in contention. While I crept up the final climb he went on to finish 3rd and moved up to 8th on GC. Legend.

Algarve was all in all a great race. We had a fun time on and off the bike. Rode like a unit and finished with confidence and high morale. On to the next one, Strade Bianchi.

ALL PHOTO CREDIT TO STIEHL PHOTOGRAPHY UNLESS STATED OTHER WISE.