Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) again proved that he is ready for an outstanding final season as a professional by claiming an impressive victory in the Volta ao Algarve time trial. After having been 8 seconds behind at the time check, he finished the 18km test stronger than Tony Martin (Etixx-QuickStep) to beat his archrival by 5 seconds while Geraint Thomas (Sky) was a distanct third, 28 seconds off the pace. Race leader Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) crashed out of the race while Martin takes the overall lead.

 

We have gathered several reactions.

 

Fabian Cancellara: I did not have a huge crazy expectation to go for the win

Fabian Cancellara claimed the win in the stage three 18-kilometer time trial in Volta ao Algarve Friday, crossing the line in 20:57 (51.551 km/h), five seconds quicker than Tony Martin (Etixx-Quick Step) and 28 seconds ahead of Geraint Thomas (Sky).

 

It was a tricky course with a technical start and windy conditions thrown in to make it a tough test against the clock.
 
"I felt good and powered everything on the road," explained Cancellara. "The race was one-quarter technical in the first part and three-quarters with more power straights. A lot of wind, tail-wind and cross-wind; it was a really tough one.

 

"After yesterday's hard stage I did not have a huge crazy expectation of going for the win. I knew I started early, and with Martin and Thomas starting so late… so I just focused on myself, on my performance. I did my usual warm-up, and I had good feelings on the trainer, and in this situation, with my experience, I knew with these feelings that I was good, and mentally this helped me. 

 

And then it was waiting, waiting on the hotseat. I am kind of surprised, but on the other hand super happy about the win.

 

At the 11.3-kilometer intermediate split, Martin was eight seconds ahead of Cancellara, and Thomas came across in the same time, but the final seven kilometers proved crucial. Both Martin and Thomas faded in the latter part of the course while Cancellara maintained his strong pace.

 

"I don't know, I really just powered everything out," answered Cancellara when asked if he had a planned his pace perfectly. "I was going 70km/h on certain parts of the course back to the finish. I don't know if you can say I calculated the pace; I knew it was going to be a 21-minute race, and I just gave it all knowing what the effort would be. When you have good feelings, and you know that you are going fast, then when you also hear from the car from Dirk [Demol, director] in the radio  – and they know me so well – that helped me to power out even more, and this is also what is important. I don't say I was flying home, but I was powering home."

 

It is the second victory for Cancellara this year, another positive sign ahead of the cobbled Classics where he will strive to finish his career on top and make amends for a crash-marred 2014 that caused him to miss the entire spring campaign. 

 

"I don't say that today's win gives me more confidence because the confidence I need is more from races like Tirreno-Adriatico because this will show me that I am in the right way," added Cancellara. "There is still some work to do; next week I will take a small rest and move on again with Strade [Bianche] and Tirreno. I still need more, because I need to compete with the others who have been racing in Qatar and Oman. I am just enjoying riding my bike, riding the races, and this makes me feel relaxed. To take another win on top is super cool for myself and super nice for the team and for the motivation for everyone."

 

Tony Martin: I am happy with the performance, not with the result

The general classification leader of the Volta ao Algarve changed for the second time in as many days, following stage 3. After teammate Marcel Kittel and Luis Leon Sanchez, now Tony Martin was the one to go at the top of the overall standings, following a solid effort on Friday's 18 km-long individual time trial. Tony, triple world champion of the discipline, was runner-up in the stage won by Fabian Cancellara, missing on the victory for only 5 seconds, but his ride was very impressive, considering he was among the last 20 cyclists to start the stage, in a moment of the day when the wind had already changed its direction.

 

In the general classification, Tony Martin holds a 3-second advantage over Geraint Thomas (Sky), with Ion Izagirre (Movistar) in third, 20 seconds behind the Etixx – Quick-Step rider.

 

A regular at the Volta ao Algarve, a race he won on two occasions (2011 and 2013), Tony Martin talked at the finish about his ride and the goals he has for the remaining of the week: "I am happy with my performance, but not so content with the result. It was pretty hard today with the headwind, but I'm not looking for excuses. Fabian was stronger, and that's that. I now look towards tomorrow and helping Marcel. After that, we'll sit down and talk about the last day. Of course, I want to keep the yellow jersey now, but it won't be easy, as there are many top riders here. Still, I am confident, because I have a very strong team, and we'll just see how things will pan out on the final day."

 

Geraint Thomas ready to strike after excellent time trial in Algarve

Geraint Thomas hung on to a close second place overall at the Volta ao Algarve with a strong performance in the day three time trial.

 

The Welshman clocked the third fastest time across the 18-kilometre course in Sagres to ensure the general classification battle heads into a thrilling final weekend.

Thomas now sits just three seconds behind new race leader Tony Martin (Etixx - Quick-Step), who stopped the clock 23 seconds quicker after an impressive effort.

 

Overnight leader Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) was the last man down the ramp but crashed out on course, abandoning the race in the process. That elevated Thomas - who was up on the Spaniard at the intermediate split - into the mountains jersey, with the toughest test still to come.

 

A two-time winner, Martin will likely do battle with Team Sky's defending champion on Sunday's famed Alto do Malhao summit finish, but before that the pair will have to negotiate a flat, 194km stage for the sprinters. Ion Izagirre (Movistar) also presents another GC threat, just 17 seconds off Thomas.

 

Salvatore Puccio (16th) and Ian Stannard (18th) both demonstrated good form to bang in top-20 stages times.

 

"We're in a good place now I think - especially with the last stage and the mountain-top finish," confirmed Sport Director Gabriel Rasch. "It's a climb we know well and everything is possible. Hopefully we will have a straightforward day tomorrow and then the guys are ready to go on the offensive.

 

"It was super windy out there on the course, just like we had yesterday. It was 40km/h wind so it was quite demanding for the guys. They had it from all directions. From the side, from the top and then a tailwind into the finish for the last 3km."

 

Fantastic Movistar team with four riders in the top 10 in Algarve TT

Four riders from the Movistar Team put themselves into the top ten of a trascendental ITT in the Volta ao Algarve, 18km in Sagres over dusty, technical roads in the early part before long straights around the Cabo Sao Vicente let all riders reach their maximum speed. The squad directed by José Luis Jaimerena fulfilled their goal of putting Ion Izagirre in a good position overall: the Ormaiztegi-born rider limited losses to  his two main rivals - Thomas (SKY) and Martin (EQS) - in the first half of the parcours and stormed his way through the final straights, ultimately taking 4th, 37" behind Cancellara (TFS).

 

Before Ion Izagirre, the three national TT champions from the Movistar Team had rolled off the start ramp. Alex Dowsett, who set the early benchmark, finished in 7th spot (+40"), while Jonathan Castroviejo -still lacking some power after his crash on yesterday's final descent - and Nelson Oliveira imitated each other to take places six and five, with the exact same time of 21'34" - Thomas in 21'25", Martin in 21'02" at 5" behind Cancellara - that Izagirre would cross the line with later on.

 

The overall classification, which should remain stable tomorrow after a predictable sprint finish in Tavira, will be decided at Sunday's Alto do Malhao mountain-top finish, where Izagirre will try to make up his 17" deficit to Thomas and 20" to Martín in the demanding slopes near Loulé.

 

Focus on time trials pays off for Tony Gallopin in Algarve

Tony Gallopin rode a very decent time trial and ended eighth. Because of this performance he’s now fourth in the GC at 46 seconds. Tiesj Benoot is the leader in the youth classification.

 

"Given the level of opponents here at the Tour of Algarve, I was hoping to do a top 10 on this stage,” Gallopin told L’Equipe. “I'm 8th behind specialists, I'm pretty pleased with myself.

 

"I had lost it a bit since my Junior and U23 days. But this winter, I changed my position and I have worked with people from the team. So I have takenit more seriously and the sensations are good."

 

"I was a little disappointed with my performance in Besseges. I started a bit too easy. So I corrected it here and I did theright  watts. That's reassuring.

 

“I'm fourth overall and I want to hang on. But while Bessèges was a goal, Algarve is only a preparation for Paris-Nice. Last year, I had a difficult race here so I'll say it's reassuring for Paris-Nice to be as well placed. But if I finish in the Top 5 or Top 10 on Sunday, I'll be happy.”

 

Victor Campenaerts confirms TT potential with ninth in Algarve

Victor Campenaerts placed ninth in the third stage of the Volta ao Algarve. The Team LottoNL-Jumbo-rider lost 51 seconds to winner Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) in the 18-kilometre time trial. Primoz Roglic finished as 24th and moved to sixth in the general classification.

 

The Volta ao Algarve’s time trial had it all. The 18 kilometres around Sagres were technical in the beginning with the roads twisting and turning. The riders faced strong winds, as well. “The first half went slightly uphill and the second half slightly downhill,” sports director Merijn Zeeman said after the race. “It was a tough time trial. I’m satisfied with Victor Campenaerts’ nine place. In this race, with a lot of great riders against the clock on the start, it’s a beautiful result and an improvement when you look at his rides last year.”

 

“I was aiming for a spot in the top-10 and I reached that,” Campenaerts added. “It was a good time trial, not superb, but you’re not able to perform exceptional every day. I may have lost some time in the beginning of the race. In that technical part of the time trial, I was only thinking about not crashing, probably because of my crash in Valencia’s time trial. I was too cautious. I have a good feeling about this result regardless. With all the wind from the side, it was something for riders who have experience in the spring classics. Cancellara has a stronger body than I have.”

 

There were many compliments for Roglic’s performance after the race. He placed 24th and held on his top 10 position in the general classification. “He delivered a very strong performance another time,” Zeeman said. “He barely has experience in riding time trials, but he prepared himself very well and had a lot of information from his teammates, as well. He is a lightweight so he wasn’t at an advantage in these circumstances. He is placed sixth now in the general classification. That’s great. Tomorrow, he has to make sure that he doesn’t lose any time, and on Sunday, he can go all in for another time. It’s going to be in interesting final." 

 

On Saturday, the attention will go back to sprinter Dylan Groenewegen. “It’s a day for the sprinters tomorrow and we’re going to work for Dylan again,” Zeeman confirmed. “This race is going quite well for our team with some beautiful results. We want to continue doing that tomorrow.”

 

Ramunas Navardauskas pleased with top 10 in first time trial of the year

Ramunas Navardauskas was the top finisher for Cannondale in 10th.

 

"My approach to every time trial is different. Today is the third day in a stage race. Yesterday we had long day with some crosswinds and a mountain at the end. It took lots of energy. It was hard to predict how the legs were going to feel today.

 

"Our directors did a smart plan for us. Before the race, we took our bikes and went to see the road used in the time trial. The first 5km looked very technical, so we did it two times. The rest of it was super windy and just straight road.

 

"I am not a time trial specialist like Cancellara or Tony Martin, but today it was important to do fast cornering and not lose rhythm for a fast and windy part. At least that was my director Andreas Klier and I had in mind with how I ride.

 

"I felt relaxed and calm. I knew I need to ride my own tempo and see the result after. Maybe there was places where I could be faster but that is already gone. I am happy that on my first time trial of the year I could end 10th."

 

Jarlinson Pantano shows huge progress in Algarve time trial

Jarlinson Pantano never ceases to surprise.  Known for his talents as a puncheurand climber, the Colombian on the IAM Cycling team nevertheless finished in 21st place in the time trial just 1’10” behind the day’s winner, Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo). Two days before a demanding summit finish, Pantano, whose nickname in the team is “Pais”, has moved himself up to 9th place overall.

 

 Kjell Carlström, one of the directeurs sportifs in the Algarve along with Eddy Seigneur, praised Jarlinson Pantano’s performance. 

 

“The wind was responsible for complicating the task of our rider.  He struggled on the return portion, lacking a bit of power, but he passed through the intermediate time check in 12th place at 34 seconds behind, on the same time as a certain Alberto Contador.”

 

Matthias Brändle was aiming for the win but had to settle for 11th.

 

 “Given the fact that I have had trouble with my health recently, I can accept having finished 11th today,” Matthias Brändle explained.  “I have a little time still to reach 100% before the Paris-Nice prologue, which is my next goal.”

 

Jonas Van Genechten and Simon Pellaud worked hard to finish their day within the time limits. And they finished practically wheel to wheel with only 20 hundredths of a second separating them after 18 kilometers. 

 

Contador shows signs of improvement in Algarve TT, targets Malhao stage win

Despite the strong wind that put him at a disadvantage over heavier riders, Contador put on a strong performance with great commitment in the ITT and edged up several positions in the GC, moving to the top ten.

 

Strong winds and a nearly flat race course put a dent in Alberto Contador's performance in the 18km-long individual time-trial that was on schedule on stage 3 of the Volta ao Algarve. Nevertheless, Tinkoff's leader was able to advance in the GC to tenth overall, feeling his form was getting better.

 

“In the time-trial we had two riders that went full gas, Michael Valgren and Alberto Contador,"  commented Sport Director Steven de Jongh. "Michael finished in 29th place so he was ok considering the competition here, and Alberto in the end took 13th, and if you look at his rivals, I think he did a very decent time trial. It was very hard with the wind and with a quite flat parcours and little climbing, I think he did his best."

 

"It was a very, very windy time-trial and the heavier riders could use spoke front wheels”, stated Alberto Contador. "I had to use a 40mm rim depth for more stability. When I went to recon the route this morning with a deeper depth, at the end I was more concentrated on avoiding being blown away by the wind. We tried a 60mm rim depth and a tri-spoke wheel but after 10km I had to change the wheel as it was getting too difficult for me. Then, I opted to go with less depth in order to be focused on the race and not on worrying whether I would crash.”

 

“The first part went quite better because it was more or less uphill and being lighter gives you a slim advantage, maybe a couple of percentage points. However, the heavier riders were able to gain time in the second part, slightly downhill and at a faster pace. That's where they gained time on me," continued Contador.

 

"The sensations I had from today weren't bad but, obviously, they weren't excellent either," summed up Contador. "I recovered well from yesterday and I reckon I will ride quite better in the final stage than yesterday. Sunday's stage is straightforward, it will be quite explosive and we have see how we perform tomorrow and the form we have on Sunday. We don't have any chances at the GC, so we'll see whether we can aim at a stage win.”

 

“Tomorrow will be a stage for the sprinters", added De Jongh, "so we're going to try to save some energy, because the last stage is quite hilly".

 

Stage 4, from San Brás de Alportel to Taviraha, over 194 km long, features climbs in the first part, followed by undulating terrain and then a finale that could see the sprinters as protagonists once again or, depending on how the breakaway goes, some skilled finisseurs.

 

Machado and Zakarin limit their losses in flat Algarve time trial

The individual time trial on Friday at the 42nd Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta saw two Team KATUSHA riders end up in the top ten of the general classification, despite the course not being perfectly suited to the climbers. Tiago Machado currently holds seventh place with teammate Ilnur Zakarin just behind him in eighth place. 

 

”Today’s course wasn’t a good TT for Tiago or Ilnur because it was a flat time trial most of the time with head winds and cross winds. They are good time trialists but not heavy riders. When we look at their times compared to other climbers, they did a good time trial and at the end of the day we ended up with 7 and 8 on the GC, not far from the race lead. We still have one mountain stage left to try to move up in position. We can also try to win the final stage. Tomorrow is a flat stage with a sprint, but Sunday we will try something,” said team directoryJosé Azevedo. 

 

Machado is at 59-seconds with Zakarin just five seconds behind him.

 

Team rider Anton Vorobyev held fifth place for a time today, finally settling for 14th on the stage. Known for his strong past performances in the time trial, Vorobyev hopes to continue his return to good form after overcoming difficulties in the past two years. 

 

Race leader Luis Leon Sanchez crashes out of the Volta ao Algarve

“Today was an unlucky day for the Astana Pro Team here at the Volta ao Algarve,” said Sports Director Alexandr Shefer.

 

“It was a windy day and the race route was quite open on the climb just up to the sea. When we arrived to the roundabout close to the lighthouse, a gust of wind while Sanchez was turning on an irregular path brought him down.

 

“Unfortunately, the chin hit the ground and he cut himself and lost some blood. For this reason he was forced to abandon the race” concluded Shefer.

 

Luis Leon Sanchez is at the hospital, making all the necessary examinations. His condition is ok, apart from the cut on the chin.

 

Hard days for Bora-Argon 18 in Algarve after loss of team leader

These days have been hard days for BORA – ARGON 18. The team’s line-up was originally built around climber and local hero José Mendes, but plans had to change when the Portuguese rider could not start due to illness. The hopes today rested on the shoulders of TT specialist Jan Bárta, but also the Czech rider is not yet at the top end of his performance level, like most of the guys riding in Portugal. In the end he finished the day in 31st position, 1:22 down on Fabian Cancellara.

 

Besides supporting José Mendes, the original plan was also to have a proper build-up under good racing conditions for the Classics. Therefore, it is even harder to compensate the loss of one of the team’s captains. Still there are chances for the team in the upcoming stages, which should also suit a punchy kind of rider like Paul Voss. But the priority is to follow the original plan and build up for the Classics.

 

“From the beginning the plan had always been to have a good preparation under race conditions. We thought that with our local José we could also fight for a top ten result in the GC. But then José was not able to start the race due to illness, which changed the situation for us from the beginning. Still I think the riders do a good job following their tasks, and for the Classics everything goes according to plan. Maybe Paul (Voss) or Silvio (Herklotz) can show a little bit more of their potential in the upcoming days which should also suit them a little more,” Christian Pömer, sports director, said.

 

Captain of Polish team limits losses in Algarve time trial

Verva-ActiveJet captain Jordi Simon did his best to limit his losses. He is now 25th overall.

 

- The guys were at their level. Most of them last raced on a time time trial more than half a year ago so we could not expect much. The main thing was that Jordi Simon rode a very decent TT and in the overall standings he can still count on the mountain stage, said sporting director Peter Kosmala.

 

Team Novo Nordisk debut new TT equipment in Algarve

Team Novo Nordisk debuted their new Colnago K-zero time trial bikes at Friday’s Volta ao Algarve Individual Time Trial.

 

Team Novo Nordisk’s best-placed rider was Spanish rider Javier Megias who finished 2:47 behind Cancellara.
 

“Our guys are very happy with the new TT bikes from Colnago,” Team Novo Nordisk Senior Vice President of Athletics, Vassili Davidenko, said, “and they’re looking forward to improving their individual time trial skills in the months ahead.”