Colombian Sergio Henao (Sky) is the new yellow jersey of the 39th Volta ao Algarve by Bike, after having imposed himself in today's stage, the third and penultimate of the race, which linked Portimão and Alto do Malhão.
The South American cyclist confirmed a trend of recent years in what is considered the queen stage of the Volta ao Algarve, ensuring for the British team Sky victory in the demanding climb to Malhão. In 2012, Richie Porte and Stephen Cummings, by the same team, prevailed there.
This was also a good day for Portuguese cyclists, with Rui Costa (Movistar) being 2nd in the stage and climbing to the same place in the general ranking. Right behind Rui Costa, in the overall standings, is Tiago Machado (RadioShack-Leopard). In today's stage, the third was Dutchman Lieuwe Westra (Vacansoleil-DCM).
“I had already said that Sergio Henao was the favorite and he confirmed it. Today's tirade was good for my purposes. Tomorrow is the day of all or nothing», promised Rui Costa.
Sergio Henao attacked on the final climb, leaving all his opponents behind, even though he made a small lapse in the course, 75 meters from the goal, which almost cost him the stage.
«It was a good stage, very hard. The team was betting on me, it lived up to what was expected and I didn't disappoint either. I've improved a lot on the time trial, but I'm not an expert yet. I promise to do my best tomorrow to try to keep the yellow jersey», said the Colombian moments before stepping onto the podium.
This stage was theoretically the most exciting of the race and, in practice, it confirmed all expectations. There were constant attacks, responses from the platoon and a lot of audience applauding the runners.
The movements and constant changes in the physiognomy of the stage meant that the first consistent flight happened only after the first 90 kilometers had been covered.
A luxury group joined, formed by Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), David López (Sky), José Herrada (Movistar), Maarten Wynants (Blanco), Nelson Oliveira (RadioShack-Leopard), Ricardo Mestre and Jorge Azanza (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Bruno Pires (Saxo-Tinkoff), Bjorn Leukemans and Bertjan Lindeman (Vacansoleil-DCM), Arkaitz Duran (Efapel-Glassdrive) and Christopher Jones (UnitedHealthcare).
The maximum difference was 5 minutes, but it started to drop abruptly due to the intense work of the Omega Pharma-Quick Step. Despite the efforts of the Belgians, it was Sky that had the biggest profit, although in terms of individual overall everything remains open for the last stage, a 34,8 km time trial that will join Castro Marim to Tavira tomorrow.
Between Sergio Henao and 11th, Tony Martin, there is only a difference of 28 seconds. In addition to the Colombian, whose yellow jersey can serve as a tonic for resilience, are candidates for the final triumph such as Rui Costa, Tiago Machado, Lieuwe Westra, Andreas Klöden, Denis Menchov, Michal Kwiatkowski and Tony Martin.
Classifications:
3rd Stage: Portimão – Alto do Malhão, 193km
1st Sergio Henao (Sky), 4:53:15
2nd Rui Costa (Movistar), 3s
3rd Lieuwe Westra (Vacansoleil-DCM), 5s
4th Rigoberto Urán (Sky), at 7s
5th Tiago Machado (RadioShack-Leopard), mt
6th Andreas Klöden (RadioShack-Leopard), mt
7th Joshua Edmonson (Sky), mt
8th Denis Menchov (Katusha), mt
9th Jesús Herrada (Movistar), at 12s
10. Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), mt
General Individual
1st Sergio Henao (Sky), 14:50:49
2nd Rui Costa (Movistar), 7s
3rd Tiago Machado (RadioShack-Leopard), at 11s
4th Lieuwe Westra (Vacansoleil-DCM), mt
5th Andreas Klöden (RadioShack-Leopard), at 17s
6th Rigoberto Urán (Sky), mt
7th Denis Menchov (Katusha), mt
8th Joshua Edmonson (Sky), mt
9th Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), 19s
10th Jesús Herrada (Movistar), at 22s
11th Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), 28s
12.º Miguel Miguez (Euskaltel-Euskadi), at 34s
13.º André Cardoso (Caja Rural), 43s
Veja here more pictures from the Tour to the Algarve.
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