Having enjoyed a fantastic season so far, Edgar Pinto continued his rise through the ranks when he won his first ever stage of the Volta a Portugal in yesterday's tough battle in the Portuguese mountains. Having already come close to a victory 12 months ago, the local rider was pleased to finally take that elusive win.

One year ago, Edgar Pinto got very close to a career-defining stage win in the Volta a Portugal when he finished second in two separate stages and took fourth in the overall standings. Yesterday he finally took the elusive victory when he emerged as the strongest in the first big mountain stage of the most important race of his season.

With his near-misses still fresh in his memory, the LA Aluminios captain was relieved to open his account in his national tour.

"I am very happy with this victory," he said "Yesterday I suffered a lot and today the stage was also very complicated. I have waited for this moment for so long. At first I was not in the best condition, but I was improving and the team gave me great support.

"Last year I missed a victory when I hesitated at the decisive point, but this year it could not fail."