The Dutchman Fabio Jakobsen (Deceuninck-Quick Step) won today the first stage of the 45th Volta ao Algarve between Portimão and Lagos.

The stage ended, as expected, with a dispute between the fastest men in the race, but it was a match between a reduced group, as the field was “cut off” due to a collective crash 7 kilometres from arrival.

In Lagos, after 199,1 km Fabio Jakobsen showed great superiority over his rivals, raising his arms after 4h52m59s of racing. The Frenchman Arnaud Démare (Groupama-FDJ) was second in the classification and the German champion Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe), closed the podium in third place.

In the absence of time bonuses, the general classification is ordered in the same way as that of the stage.

The initial phase of the stage was encouraged by the Portuguese teams. At kilometer two, left the field Pedro Paulinho (Efapel), David Ribeiro and Marvin Scheulen (LA Alumínios-LA Sport), José Mendes (Sporting-Tavira) and Rafael Lourenço (UD Oliveirense/InOutBuild). David Ribeiro seized the opportunity to become the leader of the Mountains Classification – Águas do Algarve Blue Jersey.

When this group weakened, two men from Efapel stood out, Sergio Paulinho and Antonio Angulo. The iberian pair was remotely controlled by the peloton, who cancelled the move 23 kilometres from the finishing line.

From there, the sprinters teams took the lead, but a crash in a wide road complicated the math, leaving most of the field behind.

In the sprint Fabio Jakobsen opened his personal account of wins for 2019. He is also conquer the yellow jersey (Turismo do Algarve) and the red jersey Cofidis, leader of the points classification. The Dutchman is also the owner of the FPC’s 120th Anniversary White jersey, which rewards the best youngster in the race.

The Volta ao Algarve arrives on Thursday at one of their key moments, the finale at the top of Fóia, Monchique, after 187.4 kilometres from Almodôvar. The finish line is also a firts category climb and is scheduled for 5pm (Local time) The arrival is set on a first category climb and will take place at 5pm (GMT).

Fabio Jakobsen – Stage winner and GC leader – Turismo do Algarve

It’s great to win here in the Algarve. It’s my first race of the year, after a lot of training in winter and before the first sprint of the season you never know how your condition is. The team proved to be at a very high level and they managed to put me in the best position to launch my sprint. For me it was the crucial moment of the race. We did an a training camp here a few weeks ago and we recognised this finish in Lagos. We fulfilled the first goal of our presence in the Algarve Tour and won the first stage, now, on arrival in Tavira, in the next sprint, we want to win again. The last kilometres were fast. There was a struggle for the best position, we faced a slight but somewhat difficult climb and there was a big crash. Luckily we weren’t affected and I hope the riders that crashed will be back on track for tomorrow.

David Ribeiro – Leader of the mountains classification – Águas do Algarve

It’s a wonderful feeling to be here on the podium of a race with the best riders of the world. It will be a very complicated task to defend this jersey, so I will enjoy this achievement to the fullest. It is curious to think that, a few months ago, I had scheduled this day to try to shine and so I commented it to my teammates. Certainly my training colleagues were surprised, but I had warned them.