Geraint Thomas increases lead in Tour of the Algarve
Geraint Thomas places third in the Volta ao Algarve time trial to retain overall lead with two stages remaining
Geraint Thomas (Sky) increased his overall lead in the Volta ao Algarve on Friday after placing third in the key individual time trial stage.
Thomas was just three seconds adrift of the time set by stage winner Tony Martin (Etixx-QuickStep) and second-placed Adriano Malori (Movistar), who both clocked 21 minutes and 51 seconds on the 19-kilometre course.
Defending Algarve champion and road race world champion Michal Kwiatkowski (Etixx-QuickStep) placed fourth on the stage.
Geraint Thomas solos to win Tour of the Algarve stage two
Welshman Geraint Thomas takes Volta ao Algarve race lead after stage victory
The Sky man had set the fastest time at the 10km intermediate time check before fading slightly in comparison to Martin over the remainder of the course from Vila do Bispo to Cabo de São Vicente.
Thomas took the race lead on Thursday after taking a solo win on stage two. He now leads runner-up Martin by 30 seconds.
Just two stages of the race remain: a tough 216km route from Tavira with a mountain finish at Malhão on Saturday; and Sunday's flatter finale from Almodôvar to Vilamoura.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thomas said via Sky's website that he will try and defend the race lead: “Saturday is a long, difficult stage, with a really testing finish. Having Richie [Porte] and a few of the other guys close by on the GC means we’ll have plenty of cards to play, and that’s always a nice situation to be in.”
Results
Volta ao Algarve 2015, stage three: Vila do Bispo to Cabo de São Vicente, 19km
1. Tony Martin (Ger) Etixx-QuickStep in 21-51
2. Adriano Malori (Ita) Movistar at same time
3. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky at 3 secs
4. Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Etixx-QuickStep at 9 secs
5. Anton Vorobyev (Rus) Katusha at 19 secs
Overall classification after stage three
1. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky
2. Tony Martin (Ger) Etixx-QuickStep at 30 secs
3. Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Etixx-QuickStep at 39 secs
4. Rein Taaramae (Est) Astana at 53 secs
5. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Astana at 1-02
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
Liège-Bastogne-Liège match-up: Tadej Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel finally meet again
Demi Vollering returns to defend her women's title on the same day
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I've missed races I was peaking for, but there’s plenty of time to be ready': Lizzie Deignan says broken arm won’t derail Olympic goals
Deignan set to lead GB team at Tour of Britain Women and target the overall win as she builds for Paris games
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'It was one of the hardest days of my life' - Rain and cold lay waste to Tour of the Alps
Juanpe López takes stage three victory, while Geraint Thomas finishes three minutes down in inclement Austrian weather
By Tom Davidson Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'Losing the plot in public - it's mental' - Geraint Thomas on Patrick Lefevere's criticism of Julian Alaphilippe
Ineos Grenadiers rider says he feels sorry for his peers who are criticised in public by the Soudal Quick-Step boss
By Adam Becket Published
-
Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert impress in Portugal ahead of bigger tests
Evenepoel starts season in fine form ahead of Tour de France debut this summer
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'Mostly for those in their 40s and 50s': I'm 28 but I still think this stage race has a mad playlist that you need to listen to
With everything from Arcade Fire to Tina Turner, it's got something for everyone - almost. Plus, a lot of Portuguese music
By Adam Becket Published
-
Geraint Thomas to race Giro d’Italia and Tour de France in 2024
Welshman will return to the Giro in May before heading to the French Grand Tour as part of the Ineos Grenadiers squad
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
A complete history of Ineos Grenadiers kits, from Adidas to Gobik, via Rapha
The British team switch to Gobik in 2024 after two years with Bioracer
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Opinion: Professional cyclists deserve a life too
Perhaps 12 nights out at the end of the season shouldn't be too bad a thing, really
By Adam Becket Published