Geraint Thomas second on stage 2 and also second overall after a determined ride in the Volta ao Algarve
![]() |
Volta ao Algarve – Stage 2
TEAM SKY PRESS RELEASE
Geraint Thomas battled back from an early fall to finish second on a brutal second stage of the Volta ao Algarve.
Thomas hit the deck with Salvatore Puccio during the first hour of the 198.6km trek from Lagoa, but dusted himself down and then let rip on the Alto da Fóia as the main contenders worked their way to the fore.
The Welshman battled all the way to the summit of the first-category climb, ending the day just one second behind the triumphant Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana). Those results mean Thomas now trails Sanchez by five seconds at the top of the overall standings, with the opportunity to make time back on the Spaniard in Friday’s 18km time trial. LottoNL-Jumbo rider Primoz Roglic meanwhile, sits four seconds further back in third place after taking the same position on the stage.
Queen stage
The hardest day of this year’s race featured four categorised climbs in the last 60km and seven riders forged ahead before the road ramped upwards. As Tinkoff began to keep the breakaway in check, Team Sky were dealt a series of blows with Thomas and Puccio both taking early tumbles before David Lopez was forced to abandon after crashing shortly before the second intermediate sprint.
The race came back together with 30km to go, and once Dries Devenyns’ (IAM Cycling) solo attack had been snuffed out, four riders moved clear as they began the final, toughest climb of the day.
High winds and a determined chase saw them brought back into the fold 2km from the summit, and by then Thomas had ridden his way firmly into contention. Although the 29 year old couldn’t repeat his stage success of last season, he is now brilliantly positioned heading into Friday’s potentially-pivotal race against the clock.
Stage Winner Luis Leon Sanchez
“I’m super happy for today victory in front of so many super strong rivals!†said Luis Leon Sanchez before the podium.
“I knew my condition was good but I didn’t know how I could perform on an uphill finish like this. When Thomas attacked, I was looking at Contador waiting for his reply. The wind was so strong on our left but I had good legs. Then I decided to reply myself and I had been able to overtake Thomas and win this difficult stageâ€.
“I want to thank all my teammates who really helped my today. Also, a special dedication is for my family who is doing many sacrifice with me so many days away from home… this win is a way to say thanks†continued Sanchez. Tomorrow there is the individual time trial where normally I’m quite good… let’s see what will happen†concluded the Spaniard.
Tomorrow the third stage of the Volta ao Algarve is an 18 km individual time trial with start and finish in Sagres.
STAGE 2
1 Luis Leon Sanchez, Astana Pro Team 5:08:26
2 Geraint Thomas, Team Sky 0:00:01
3 Primoz Roglic, Team LottoNl-Jumbo 0:00:02
4 Jon Izaguirre, Movistar Team 0:00:02
5 Tiago Machado, Team Katusha 0:00:05
6 Thibaut Pinot, FDJ 0:00:06
7 Amaro Antunes, La Aluminios/Antarte 0:00:09
8 Hector Saez, Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 0:00:13
9 Tiesj Benoot, Lotto Soudal 0:00:13
10 Fabio Aru , Astana Pro Team 0:00:15
12 Robert Gesink,Team LottoNl-Jumbo 0:00:16
13 Tony Gallopin, Lotto Soudal 0:00:16
14 Frank Schleck, Trek-Segafredo 0:00:17
17 Tony Martin, Etixx – Quick-Step 0:00:17
20 Zdenek Stybar, Etixx – Quick-Step 0:00:22
21 Alberto Contador, Tinkoff Team 0:00:24
24 Dylan Van Baarle , Cannondale Pro Cycling 0:01:08
39 Fabian Cancellara, Trek-Segafredo 0:07:49
75 Tom Boonen, Etixx – Quick-Step 0:09:07
77 Ian Stannard, Team Sky 0:09:08
96 Niki Terpstra, Etixx – Quick-Step 0:18:07
105 Alex Dowsett, Movistar Team 0:20:37
109 Zakkari Dempster, Bora-Argon 18 0:20:38
OVERALL
1. Luis Leon Sanchez , Astana
2. Geraint Thomas, Team Sky @ 5 secs
3. Primoz Roglic, LottoNL-Jumbo @9 secs
6. Thibaut Pinot FDJ @ 15
12. Tony Martin, Etixx Quickstep @25
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Result: Forge Valley Crits #3 P/B YBC
- Result: Hove Park Crits #2
- TT Result: VTTA (London & Home Counties) 10
- Result: CCA Summer in the City Crits #11
- Result: AIRC Course de Deux #1
- Result: Castle Combe Summer Series 9
- Result: Cream First Criterium Series 10
- Result: Chorley CC UCLAN Series 3
- Result: Cowley Road Condors Road Race (women)
- TT Result: AeroCoach Midland Championships
- TT Result: North Devon Velo 10
- TT Result: Jubilee Rumble Strip 10
- TT Result: Muckle CC TT
- TT Result: Cleveland Wheelers CC 18
- TT Result: Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club 10
- Result: White Rose Youth League R7
- Result: Surrey League/London Dynamo RR
- TT Result: RTTC National 100 Mile Championship
- TT Result: Zak Carr Memorial 10
- TT Result: Yorkshire Cycling Federation 50
- TT Result: Port Sunlight Wheelers 10
- TT Result: Lindsey Roads CC 10
- TT Result: Lea Valley CC 10
- TT Result: Alltrax 10m TT
- TT Result: Epsom CC 10
- TT Result: Shropshire CCA Championship 10
- Result: King and Queen of the Bowl Crit Series #11
- Result: RL360 Isle of Man Youth League Rd 12
- GB Team for Track Euros
- Result: West Thames League Rnd 13
- Result: RCR Goodwood Series #8
- Result: Portsmouth Evening Circuits
- Result: Thank Crit it’s Friday 4
- Result: Swindon Summer Race Series 3
- Result: Full Gas Summer Circuit Series 14
- Result: National Circuit Series – Guildford
- TT Result: Westerley Cycling Club 25
- TT Result: Ross on Wye & Dist CC 25
- TT Result: Northampton & District CA 12.7m TT
- TT Result: Border City Whs CC 25
Other News on VeloUK
- GB Team for Track Euros
- Opening of Sir Mark Cavendish Raceway
- Bike News: Ribble Cycles Alloy Bikes
- This Weekend: Junior Road Championships
- Wednesday: Otley Cycle Races
- Mid Shropshire Wheelers celebrates 100 Years of Cycling
- Team Feature: Prologue Junior Racing Team Spring Review
- New: Ribble Cycles Ultra-Grit & Allgrit Ranges
- START LISTS FOR BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- STARTLIST: Two day Giant Tugby Ronde van Wymeswold
- NEWS: MAJOR JUNIOR TEAMS TO MERGE FOR 2026
- Entries Wanted: Ilkley Town Centre Races
- Report/Result: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 2
- Report: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 1
- STARTLIST: Owen Blower Memorial Road Races
- Events: Halesowen Academy Road Race
- News: May Pedal Club Lunch
- RIBBLE PARTNERS WITH THE BIKE FITTERS
- Monday: Witham Wheelers Road Races
- British Stars for Women’s Tour of Britain
- Women’s Tour of Britain Riders 2025
- BIKES: RIBBLE UNVEILS ULTRA-RACE
- Women’s Tour of Britain Routes
- STARTLISTS: 2025 Lincoln Grand Prix
- STARTLIST: The Witham Hall Grand Prix
- Startlist: Timmy James Memorial Grand Prix
- FEATURE: PEDAL CLUB LUNCH REPORT (APRIL)
- 2025 BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS – ROUTES
- STARTLIST: Sloan Trophy (April 27)
- News: Teams Revealed for the Women’s Tour of Britain
- Startlist: CiCLE Classic International
- Sunday: CiCLE Classic UCI Road Race
- News: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage Hosts
- PERTH GRAND PRIX (SCOTLAND)
- April 19: PNE National B Road Race
- STARTLIST: East Cleveland Classic
- Startlists: Witham Hall Junior Two Day (Men & Women)
- Startlist: Totnes-Vire Two Day
- STARTLISTS: Cold Dark Capenwray Road Races
- News: CiCLE Classic – Volunteers Wanted