Antunes and Roglic share the spoils on final day in Algarve

The 179.2km stage, between the centre of Loulé and the top of Malhão, started fast, with more than 50 kilometres in the first hour. But the candidates ended up staying in expectation, not moving in the final ascension.

Amaro Antunes took advantage of the apathy of the main favourites and gave the best follow-up to the work of W52-FC Porto, which laboured to caught the 21-man breakaway at the foot of Malhão. Given the defensive posture of the international stars, Amaro Antunes attacked and was no longer reached. He cut the finish after 4h29m28s, leaving the Spaniard Vicente García de Mateos (Louletano-Hospital de Loulé) and Belgian Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal), second and third, respectively.

“Winning is something that W52-FCPorto has already inhabited the fans. This is my usual training climb. Initially hesitated a bit, I stopped and finally attacked. It is special to win at home, it is very emotional and something that I ever dreamed.People and family came here at five in the morning to paint my name on the road and the only answer I had to give them, was to get to the top in the first place I will not forget this victory so soon” said Amaro Antunes.

The Polish Michal Kwiatkowski was the only one of the general candidates to attack, but it was no more than a timid move, to which Primoz Roglic responded with ease. The Slovenian, former champion of ski jumps, thus won for the first time in Algarve.

Primoz Roglic won the 43rd Volta ao Algarve, finishing 22 seconds ahead of Michal Kwiatkowski. The third, 55 seconds, was Frenchman Tony Gallopin.

“We did a great job and we controlled the race as far as it would go. In the final climb i was able to stay with Kwiatkowski, and now it’s time to celebrate. It was been hard for everyone, but fortunately, I managed to wear this jersey to the end. What the future brings me I don’t know yet. I am able to mix the mountain and the time trials with some ease and I hope to be strong in the next races. But now I’m going to party. When I started to compete I did not think I would reach this level. It’s a dream to be here in yellow” said Roglic.