Team Sky capped a superb day at the Volta ao Algarve as Geraint Thomas retained the yellow jersey and Richie Porte won the queen stage.

Riding as a unit for the entire 218-kilometre test, the team worked tirelessly to set up Thomas as he set about defending a 30-second overnight lead.

The stage culminated in a summit finish on the famed Alto do Malhão, and it was Porte who put in a titanic effort to help position Thomas, before attacking to claim the stage win by three seconds.

Thomas crossed the line fourth, nine seconds back on his team-mate, to ensure a 27-second advantage heading into Sunday’s final stage. Porte’s efforts elevated the Tasmanian to fourth overall, 1:14 behind Thomas.

Etixx – Quick-Step took the fight to Team Sky in the closing stages with a barrage of attacks from Tony Martin and Zdenek Stybar. However the team stood their ground and brought Thomas into the finale in the best-possible position as a select group formed.

Michal Kwiatkowski (Etixx – Quick-Step) was second on the stage and jumped up to the same position overall, with Tiago Machado (Katusha) holding the final podium spot, a tantalising three seconds ahead of Porte - the new leader of the mountains classification.

Porte was understandly happy after the stage, admitting to TeamSky.com: “I never really thought that a win would be an option for me going into today. It’s always great to win a stage but it was all for G going into today. The guy has done me that many favours and put his race on the line that many times for me. To win that stage and have him retain his GC is an unbelievable day for us – and then you hear that Froomey has won and taken the lead in Spain. It’s incredible!

“I think all the boys today were massively committed. With Ben Swift, Lars-Petter, Salva, Sebastian and then the guys at the start – Andy Fenn and Boswell – riding all day. They really set it up for G and me.

“Quick-Step made the race hard and were trying to disrupt the rhythm. It wasn’t ideal for me to have to ride that early but I didn’t have much choice. It worked out okay! On this climb every time Sky have ridden it we’ve won which is an awesome achievement.”