From the Foia effort to the individual effort, the third stage of the 52nd edition of the Volta ao Algarve, this Friday, was marked by the Vilamoura time trial, on a flat 19.5-kilometer route that saw Filippo Ganna deliver and win the day.
The INEOS Grenadiers cyclist arrived in the Algarve as the big favorite to win this time trial, as he is one of the world’s leading specialists in individual effort, and he managed to live up to expectations.
“We are at the beginning of the season, my physical condition is not the best, but I tried to defend myself. I tried to follow the team’s plan and we achieved this fantastic victory. Thank you to the team. It’s important to stay motivated for the next races”, said Ganna after his triumph.
Pejtersen first, Söderqvist after and then… Ganna
Johan-Price Pejtersen of Alpecin-Premier Tech was the first rider of the afternoon to warm the hot seat for a while, before Jakob Söderqvist of Lidl-Treak stole his seat.
Meanwhile, Ganna headed out onto the road, took seven seconds off Söderqvist and took the lead in the hot seat, from where he would not leave.
Ayuso didn’t win, but reinforced the Yellow Jersey
The Italian was threatened by Juan Ayuso, the Yellow Jersey – Turismo do Algarve, and Paul Seixas, but neither of them managed to set the fastest time of the afternoon.
Ayuso, from Lidl-Trek, clocked the second-best time, six seconds behind Ganna, and strengthened his lead in the Volta ao Algarve General Classification, now seven seconds ahead of Seixas.
3ª Etapa Vilamoura 18,51 Km, 20.02.2026 da 52ª Volta ao Algarve, de 18 a 22 de Fevereiro de 2026 Foto: Igor Martins / FPC
The young rider from Decathlon CMA CGM Team won in Foia and started Friday’s stage with the same time as his Spanish rival, but only managed to be the fourth fastest, 13 seconds behind Ganna.
João Almeida has less reason to smile: the Portuguese rider from UAE Team Emirates XRG set the tenth fastest time in the time trial and saw Juan Ayuso pull away in the General Classification: the two are now separated by 44 seconds.
“I’m happy, it’s my first time trial with the team and it gives me a lot of confidence to have been competitive with the team’s equipment. We kept the Yellow Jersey – Turismo do Algarve, which was the goal, and now we have two tough days ahead to fight for the victory”, Ayuso said.
Ayuso set the tone, with two tough days ahead, although Sunday is reserved for the final battle for the General Classification. On Saturday, we will have a sprint finish in Lagos. In addition to Ayuso’s Yellow Jersey – Turismo do Algarve, the Green Jersey – Crédito Agrícola (points) belongs to Paul Seixas, as does the White Jersey – IPDJ, for youth. Tomás Contte (Aviludo – Louletano – Loulé) is the mountain leader, wearing the Blue Jersey – Save Water.
Schedules
February 18 | Vila Real de Santo António – Tavira | 117.5 miles | 12:00 p.m. – 4:27 p.m.
February 19 | Portimão – Foia | 92.2 miles | 12:45 p.m. – 4:25 p.m.
February 20 | Vilamoura – Vilamoura (CRI) | 19.5 km | 1:05 p.m. (provisional)
February 21 | Albufeira – Lagos | 175.1 km | 11:00 a.m.-3:20 p.m.
22/02 | Faro – Malhão | 148.4 km | 12:05 p.m.-3:42 p.m.