Tour of Algarve: Stage 1 to Paul Martens

201105_OnimpexBanner_600_ad

Mark Cavendish was 6th on stage 1 in the Tour of Algarve won by Blanco rider Paul Martens after roundabout split the leaders in the rush to the line

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

It was a difficult finish in Albufeira for stage 1 of the Volta ao Algarve on Thursday where Paul Martens (Blanco) was the fastest of the sprinters whilst Cavendish was in a surprisingly 6th place.

Omega Pharma – Quick-Step worked at the front all day to chase down a break inside the final 10km of Volta ao Algarve Stage 1 on Thursday, in hopes of setting up Mark Cavendish for another sprint victory. However, it was Paul Martens (Blanco ProCycling Team) who won the stage after a handful of leading riders got a gap in the final kilometer. Tiago Machado (Radioshack-Leopard) placed 2nd and Theo Bos (Blanco ProCycling Team) finished 3rd.

Video of the stage

Cavendish’s director sportif Tom Steels said “The guys today did a great job on a not so easy parcour,” Sports Director Tom Steels said. “It was always up and down. Iljo Keisse and Frantisek Rabon did a great job to close the gap between the breakaway and the group. Overall we were well organized, but at the roundabout with 1km to go, there was a little confusion on the roundabout as with every sprint.”

“A gap formed and we came back, but the final was too close to get a better result. It’s a pity because we were riding really well, and Mark is also in good shape and was in position until that point. But these things happen. Tomorrow is another possibility for the sprint and we will try again. There are two little hills at the beginning that are not easy to pass, but we will try to take responsibility and put Mark in the best position for the sprint.”
The second placed rider Machado explained how it looked from where he was… “It wasn’t an uphill finish, but near 500 meters there was a 5% bump that made things interesting. As we approached the finish line the peloton was all together but everyone was nervous in the last 1.2km as the road was narrow with roundabouts.”

“We didn’t want to lose time for the GC. I saw Giacomo and wanted to help him for the sprint, but then Paul Martens surprised us. Giacomo (4th) was stuck somewhere and not in my wheel anymore, so I tried to chase Martens myself but he was too strong.”

The break of the day went early on the stage and comprised five riders but the group was never allowed too much time and the peloton reeled them back in with 8 kilometres to go, allowing the teams of the sprinters to prepare for the sprint.

Stage 2 is also a sprinter’s stage (195km/121 miles).

Stage 1

1. Paul Martens Blanco Pro Cycling Team 5:07:29
2. Tiago Machado Radioshack Leopard @ same time
3. Theo Bos Blanco Pro Cycling Team @ same time
4. Giacomo Nizzolo Radioshack Leopard @ same time
5. Thomas Sprengers Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise @ same time
6. Mark Cavendish Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team @ same time
7. Tom Van Asbroeck Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise @ same time
8. Rui Costa Movistar Team @ same time
9. Alessandro Bazzana Unitedhealthcare Pro Cycling Team @ same time
10. Samuel Caldeira Ofm – Quinta Da Lixa 5:07:29@ same time

79. Jonathan Tiernan-Locke Sky Procycling @ same time
94. Mark Mcnally An Post – Chainreaction @ same time
118. Kieran Frend An Post – Chainreaction @ same time
127. Joshua Edmondson Sky Procycling @ same time
134. Alex Dowsett Movistar Team @ same time

 

 

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK

Tags: ,