The Slovenian Primoz Roglic (Team Lotto NL-Jumbo) won today the 43rd Volta ao Algarve, after the fifth stage, with a finish at the top of Malhão, won by local rider Amaro Antunes (W52-FC Porto).

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 Mikhail 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.

German champion André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) was deeply involved in the fight for the Cofidis Red Jersey, participating in the day’s break to that end. It was a successful initiative as he got the points victory.

The 21 man attack also gave positive results to Colombian Juan Osorio (Manzana Postobón) who won the Liberty Seguros Blue Jersey to the best climber. The best young rider was, for the second consecutive year, the Belgian Tiesj Benoot, who takes home the White Jersey Sicasal. The Teams Classification was won by Astana.

Classificações/Results
5.ª Etapa/Stage 5: Loulé – Malhão, 179,2 km
1.º Amaro Antunes (W52-FC Porto), 4h29m28s (39,901 km/h)
2.º Vicente García de Mateos (Louletano-Hospital de Loulé), a 12s
3.º Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal), mt
4.º Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky), a 15s
5.º Primoz Roglic (Team Lotto NL-Jumbo), mt
6.º Rinaldo Nocentini (Sporting-Tavira), mt
7.º Jaime Rosón (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), mt
8.º Luis León Sánchez (Astana), mt
9.º Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal), mt
10.º David de la Fuente (Louletano-Hospital de Loulé), mt

Geral/Overall
1.º Primoz Roglic (Team Lotto NL-Jumbo), 19h04m03s
2.º Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky), a 22s
3.º Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal), a 55s
4.º Luis León Sánchez (Astana), a 59s
5.º Amaro Antunes (W52-FC Porto), a 1m29s
6.º Daniel Martin (Quick-Step Floors), a 1m36s
7.º Jonathan Castroviejo (Movistar Team), a 1m40s
8.º Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal), a 1m42s
9.º Rinaldo Nocentini (Sporting-Tavira), a 1m56s
10.º Edgar Pinto (LA Alumínios-Metalusa BlackJack), a 2m19s