Team News – Geraint Thomas 2nd on GC at Algarve

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Team Sky’s Welshman Geraint Thomas hung on to a close second place overall at the Volta ao Algarve with a strong performance in the day three time trial

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Team News – Geraint Thomas 2nd on GC at Algarve

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Geraint Thomas hung on to a close second place overall at the Volta ao Algarve with a strong performance in the day three time trial. The Welshman clocked the third fastest time across the 18-kilometre course in Sagres to ensure the general classification battle heads into a thrilling final weekend.

Thomas now sits just three seconds behind new race leader Tony Martin (Etixx – Quick-Step), who stopped the clock 23 seconds quicker after an impressive effort. Yet neither man could go quicker than eventual stage winner Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo), with the Swiss powerhouse continuing his successful farewell campaign, edging Martin out by five seconds.

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Overnight leader Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) was the last man down the ramp but crashed out on course, abandoning the race in the process with some serious injuries requiring him to be admitted to hospital. That elevated Thomas into the mountains jersey, with the toughest test still to come.
Down to the wire

A two-time winner, Martin will likely do battle with Team Sky’s defending champion on Sunday’s famed Alto do Malhao summit finish, but before that the pair will have to negotiate a flat, 194km stage for the sprinters. Ion Izagirre (Movistar) also presents another GC threat, just 17 seconds off Thomas.

Salvatore Puccio (16th) and Ian Stannard (18th) both demonstrated good form to bang in top-20 stages times.

“We’re in a good place now I think – especially with the last stage and the mountain-top finish,” confirmed Sport Director Gabriel Rasch. “It’s a climb we know well and everything is possible. Hopefully we will have a straightforward day tomorrow and then the guys are ready to go on the offensive.

“It was super windy out there on the course, just like we had yesterday. It was 40km/h wind so it was quite demanding for the guys. They had it from all directions. From the side, from the top and then a tailwind into the finish for the last 3km.”

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