Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) won the 22-kilometer time trial of the fourth stage of Volta ao Algarve, in Albufeira, imposing himself with a time of 27m09s (average of 48.619 km/h), which boosted him into the lead of the general classification. He is the new owner of the Turismo do Algarve yellow jersey.
The Belgian proved why he is wearing the world time trial champion’s jersey, setting the best time at all the intermediate check points and beating second-placed Magnus Sheffield (INEOS Grenadiers) by 16 seconds. The stage podium was completed by Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ), winner of last year’s time trial, who came in at 29 seconds.
“I had perfect coaching from behind, we did a perfect preparation this morning, so I think we can say that it was close to a perfect run. Maybe it was a bit too much at a certain moment, but I think it’s a very beautiful downpour alongside the marina. It was very beautiful, so I enjoyed every single meter of this course and to finish it off with a victory is even better. Now the GC is more than 40 seconds ahead, seems good”, said Remco Evenepoel at the end of the stage.
“Tomorow will be all about defending and being smart. Defending in the first place and then try to go for a stage win. Having the yellow jersey is more important, so we are going to try to defend that, and we will see at the end of the day if there is another stage win or not”, anticipated the winner of the time trial and new yellow jersey of Volta ao Algarve.
Daniel Martínez (BORA-hansgrohe), owner of the yellow jersey at the start of the fourth stage, finished in eighth place, 51 seconds off the best time. In the end, the Colombian fell to second place in general classification, 47 seconds behind Remco Evenepoel. Jan Tratnik (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), who was 10th in the time trial, is now third overall, 1m12s behind.
In the remaining classifications, Gerben Thijssen (Intermarché-Wanty) remains the owner of the Green Crédito Agrícola Points Jersey and Daniel Martínez continues to wear the Blue Água é Vida Mountain Jersey. The IPDJ White Youth Jersey passed to Magnus Sheffield. Among teams, INEOS Grenadiers jumped into the lead.
The 50th Volta a Portugal will only be settled this Sunday, on the fifth and final stage. It will be a 165.8-kilometer stage, from Faro (start scheduled for 11:25 am) to the iconic Alto do Malhão, in Loulé (finish scheduled for 15:31 pm).