Davide Malacarne showed off his new Astana colours when he turned out to be the strongest climber in the 7-rider breakaway that animated the Volta ao Algarve queen stage.

"Sometimes you don't think too much, you look at the road and decide to go," he said.

Malcarne escaped into the day's breakaway with six other riders after 7 km and stayed away for more than 190 km and nearly 3500m of climbing. Malacarne attacked his breakaway companions to climb the first ascent of the Alto do Malhão solo in front of thousands of fans before the leaders caught him in the final 15 km.

Luis Leon Sanchez finished ninth on the day,  25 seconds behind stage winner Richie Porte of Australia, and is now fifth in General Classification, one second ahead of teammate Rein Taarämae.