At it happened: fireworks on the summit finish as GC favourites come to the fore at stage two of the Volta ao Algarve

2026-02-19T17:01:30.952Z

Seixas accelerates, attacking for the win…

2026-02-19T17:01:03.756Z

Another acceleration, and Ricittello and Onley are dropped.

2026-02-19T17:00:38.879Z

Ricittello was briefly dropped, but is back with them now.

2026-02-19T17:00:09.657Z

He didn’t succeed in dropping them, but has attacked again.

2026-02-19T16:59:46.343Z

Now Almeida accelerates as they go into the final kilometre.

2026-02-19T16:59:15.078Z

Riccitello attacks, but is chased down. The five remain together as they near the final kilometre and its very steep gradients.

2026-02-19T16:58:43.188Z

And now Onley and Riccitello have bridged up to them. Thats great news for Seixas, as Riccitello is his Decathlon teammate.

2026-02-19T16:58:04.512Z

Onley and Riccitello are chasing the leading trio.

2026-02-19T16:57:37.277Z

Now Ayuso comes through to take a turn.

2026-02-19T16:57:16.451Z

Those three riders lead, with Seixas still doing all of the work.

2026-02-19T16:56:13.391Z

Almeida is indeed back – he is doing his usual careful pace-setting.

2026-02-19T16:54:48.702Z

For now Almeida is loosing ground, as Seixas presses on with Ayuso on his wheel, not taking a turn.

2026-02-19T16:54:12.750Z

We have seen this countless times before from Almeida – is he just going at his own pace, or struggling?

2026-02-19T16:53:48.367Z

Almeida is being distanced by Seixas’s pace.

2026-02-19T16:53:13.211Z

Seixas as taken over at the front from Ayuso.

2026-02-19T16:52:45.735Z

Ayuso has gone clear! He has only 2 riders with him – Almeida and Seixas

2026-02-19T16:51:34.575Z

Just 4km left to the climb until the finish.

2026-02-19T16:50:29.486Z

Behind the 2 Lidl riders are 3 UAEs and 3 Ineos riders.

2026-02-19T16:49:49.576Z

Verona’s finished, swinging off after a hairpin bend. That leaves Ayuso with one more teammate.

2026-02-19T16:48:43.860Z

The yellow jersey of Magnier is among those dropped.

2026-02-19T16:48:28.501Z

2 Lidl riders lead ahead of their leader Ayuso, and his former teammate Almeida is glued to his wheel in fourth.

2026-02-19T16:47:21.276Z

There looks to be only about 30 or so riders left in the peloton, with 6.5km still to climb.

2026-02-19T16:46:48.465Z

Red Bull and Decathlon are also well positioned towards the front.

2026-02-19T16:46:16.606Z

Lidl are back down to three at the front, but still Verona leads.

2026-02-19T16:46:01.806Z

Confirmation that McNulty gained three seconds at the last intermediate sprint, and Ayuso gained one second.

2026-02-19T16:45:16.498Z

Riders are being dumped out of the peloton, but for now only non-GC men like Ganna and De Lie.

2026-02-19T16:44:53.255Z

A fourth Lidl rider has made his way to the front – Carlos Verona.

2026-02-19T16:44:24.981Z

Lidl did much of the work earlier in the day, and are really going for it on this climb with a fast tempo.

2026-02-19T16:43:17.664Z

Those 3 riders continue to lead, with Ineos and UAE well represented behind them.

2026-02-19T16:41:45.333Z

Lidl-Trek lead the peloton onto the climb with three riders at the front, one of them Juan Ayuso.

2026-02-19T16:41:19.349Z

A 90 degree left turn takes them onto the foot of the climb, which ramps up to steep gradients right from the off.

2026-02-19T16:40:51.214Z

The race is really intensifying, with just over a kilometre to go until the final climb. Expect fireworks!

2026-02-19T16:39:56.626Z

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-02-19T16:39:21.709Z

Crash in the peloton, Keegan Swirbul has gone down. He’s back on his feet though and is looking to get racing again.

2026-02-19T16:37:27.250Z

Ayuso is among those sprinting for the bonus seconds at the intermediate sprint, as is UAE’s McNulty.

2026-02-19T16:35:59.141Z

That sprint was the first of two in quick succession, and some GC riders are sniffing around the front of the peloton in anticipation of some bonus seconds on offer.

2026-02-19T16:34:56.700Z

Sorarrain is caught, just in time for an intermediate sprint…

2026-02-19T16:33:26.324Z

That leaves Sorarrain out front alone, with a slender advantage of only a handful of seconds.

2026-02-19T16:32:52.649Z

Contte buried himself to survive until that climb, and immediately upon cresting it, sat up, visibly exhausted.

2026-02-19T16:32:16.149Z

They have indeed, with Contte taking the points ahead of Sorarrain. That seals the mountain’s jersey for him for tomorrow’s stage, regardless of what happens on the final climb.

2026-02-19T16:31:05.484Z

It looks like the leading duo will make it to the top before being caught.

2026-02-19T16:30:43.302Z

In the peloton, the sprinters are already sliding out the back on the steep slopes of this climb.

2026-02-19T16:30:14.297Z

Nunes has also been dropped at the front, leaving just Contte and Sorarrain left in the lead.

2026-02-19T16:29:16.691Z

Decathlon have taken control at the front of the peloton, riding for Paul Seixas.

2026-02-19T16:28:17.218Z

Now the peloton start the climb, just 30 seconds behind.

2026-02-19T16:27:59.245Z

The break are on the penultimate climb, and Tivani has been dropped already, followed by Leijnse.

2026-02-19T16:24:36.752Z

The pace is up in the peloton, but the breakaway riders are soldiering on, and still have a lead of 35 seconds. Can they survive until the next climb?

2026-02-19T16:22:24.274Z

Another puncture, this time for UAE’s Felix Großschartner.Almeida will want him back by his side in time for the final climbs.

2026-02-19T16:19:12.416Z

Puncture for Laurens De Plus, who is one of Oscar Onley’s key climbing domestiques. He got it sorted quickly and should be back in the peloton imminently.

2026-02-19T16:16:14.813Z

A reminder that Juan Ayuso has a bit of a head start on his GC rivals, having gained three seconds in the Golden Kilometre sprint bonuses yesterday.

2026-02-19T16:14:22.656Z

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-02-19T16:10:05.733Z

The gap is at about 1 minute, as we come to within 15km of the penultimate climb.

2026-02-19T16:07:43.647Z

There isn’t much respite between the final two climbs. Once they’ve crested Casais (2km at 7.9%, there’s only a brief plateau / false flat before the final climb begins.

2026-02-19T16:06:36.455Z

The gap continues to grow, out to over a minute now. It’s the calm before the storm, which will surely begin as the foot of the penultimate climb nears.

2026-02-19T16:05:20.197Z

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-02-19T16:02:50.021Z

Now on the flat section, the pace in the peloton has gone down, allowing for some comfort breaks and bidon collections. The gap to the break is therefore growing again, to over 30 seconds.

2026-02-19T15:57:38.024Z

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-02-19T15:56:35.646Z

Here are the updated KOM classification after that last climb, where Tivani and Nunes took the points behind Contte:

1 Tomas Contte 12 points

2 Nicolás Tivani 4

3 Enzo Leijnse 3

4 Hugo Nunes 2

5 Viacheslav Ivanov 2

2026-02-19T15:54:20.563Z

The gap is actually coming down rather than growing, as Ineos Grenadiers set a pace on the downhill with Flippo Ganna.

2026-02-19T15:52:30.082Z

The break’s lead plummeted on that climb to just 35 seconds, but they can be hopeful of growing it out again on the upcoming descent and long flat section leading to the final two climbs of the day.

2026-02-19T15:51:15.507Z

The five remaining riders in the break make it to the top together, with Contte again taking the points uncontested.

2026-02-19T15:48:43.417Z

2026-02-19T15:37:52.414Z

A lairy moment in the peloton when one rider lost balance having gone on the roadside grass to try and move up the peloton. Thankfully nobody went down.

2026-02-19T15:35:59.364Z

Linarez was the first to be dropped, and now Bonillo has lost contact.

2026-02-19T15:35:23.264Z

The break is on the second of these unclassified climbs, and is breaking up with some being dropped out of it. In truth this effort looks tough enough to merit a classification.

2026-02-19T15:34:00.480Z

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-02-19T15:30:52.529Z

No single team is controlling the peloton just yet, as everyone is happy to remain at a steady pace for now. They won’t want to catch the break too early, which is a risk as they are only about 1:15 ahead.

2026-02-19T15:23:47.926Z

With the pace remaining steady, the break is holding their lead of 1:30 over the peloton for now.

2026-02-19T15:23:00.456Z

The riders are spread all across the road, and riding only a steady tempo on this uphill stretch.

2026-02-19T15:20:57.576Z

The peloton are labouring up the first of two successive unclassified climbs. Onley’s Ineos are also present towards the front with big numbers, behind Lidl-Trek.

2026-02-19T15:17:20.345Z

Lidl-Trek are the team leading the peloton, in what feels like a statement of intent on behalf of Juan Ayuso.

2026-02-19T15:16:22.451Z

Following a long flat section, the parcours begins to undulate again from now. The next official climb isn’t until another 10km, but there are some tricky unclassified rises prior to that.

2026-02-19T15:13:11.375Z

It’s a pleasant, sunny day in the Alvarge, with blue skies and sunshine smiling down on the peloton.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-02-19T15:08:26.354Z

The gap’s come down some more, from 2:00 to 1:30. The GC teams have matters well under control, building up to what’s likely to be an exciting, hard-fought battle.

2026-02-19T15:04:38.999Z

Another young talent who is a contender today is Oscar Onley. This is his first GC race riding as leader for Ineos Grenadiers, and the British team are putting a lot of hope into him restoring their fortunes in stage races and Grand Tours.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-02-19T14:56:16.903Z

One of the most intriguing riders taking part today is Paul Seixas. He enjoyed an astronomical rise during the 2025 season, improving more and more as the year went on. Today, we’ll get an idea of how much more he has developed over the winter.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-02-19T14:51:34.786Z

We’re in a holding pattern, with the gap still at 2 minutes.

2026-02-19T14:50:31.775Z

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-02-19T14:45:34.105Z

UAE Team Emirates XRG in the peloton. To support their leader Almeida, they can call upon the likes of António Morgado, Felix Großschartner and Brandon McNulty, who will likely be the last man with Almeida on the final climb.

It’s a strong team, as we’ve come to expect from the team, but not one they will necessarily control the race with, given the strength of the opposition here this year.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-02-19T14:38:45.638Z

It’s still quiet out on the road, the gap remaining at 2:20 with 90km left to ride. The riders are enjoying a benign section of the route, before the climbs come later on.

2026-02-19T14:37:15.413Z

Florian Lipowitz is another top contender for the win today, as he looks to build on a season that saw him make the podium at the Tour de France last year. But he won’t necessarily be the man for Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe – Dani Martínez is also here, and said in the run-in to the race that he has big ambitions for the 2026 season, and despite the plethora of GC riders who are now a part of the team, does not want to just be a support rider.

2026-02-19T14:21:31.201Z

Lidl-Trek are pulling at the front of the peloton. For their leader Jan Ayuso, this is a first chance to ride as a leader for his new team Lidl-Trek, and he’ll be itching to prove a point having been frustrated at the lack of leadership opportunities at his former team UAE Team Emirates-XRG.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-02-19T14:17:28.768Z

Paul Mangier, enjoying his day in yellow.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-02-19T14:14:39.151Z

There’s been a crash in the bunch, with a Tavfer-Ovos Matinados-Mortágua going down.

2026-02-19T14:13:23.887Z

The gap between the peloton and the break has stopped decreasing and is holding steady again at about 2:15.

2026-02-19T14:07:56.778Z

João Almeida at the start today, with a couple of his UAE teammates. Last year, he let his teammate Jan Christen take the stage win, but this year he’ll surely want the win for himself as he chases overall victory.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-02-19T14:01:01.683Z

A first look at some of the riders who have made it into the day’s break.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-02-19T13:59:24.390Z

The gap between the peloton and the break is no longer holding steady, but falling, down to 2:20.

2026-02-19T13:57:53.861Z

The first of the day’s four climbs isn’t too far away – the Picota. The road rises lightly for a few kilometres, before ramping up to 7.9% for the final 1.4km to the summit. It’s the easiest of the day, and will be a chance for Contte to increase his lead in the KOM classification – or for another rider in the break to challenge him.

2026-02-19T13:52:28.427Z

The break’s lead has stopped growing, the peloton now working to make sure they keep it under control, but remains at a healthy lead of 3:30.

2026-02-19T13:47:30.431Z

2026-02-19T13:33:17.663Z

Pedro Castro Pinto had tried to get into the break as a representative of the GI Group Holding – Simoldes – UDO team, but is dangling only a few seconds ahead of the bunch and is set to be reabsorbed.

2026-02-19T13:32:17.006Z

The peloton is happy with the make-up of this break – they’ve sat up and allowed them a lead of over two minutes.

2026-02-19T13:28:41.957Z

Those eight riders are:

Tomas Contte

Gorka Sorarrain

Enzo Leijnse

Iker Bonillo Martin

Nicolas Tivani

Leangel Linare

Hugo Nunes

Alexandre Montez

2026-02-19T13:28:26.020Z

It’s actually a group of 8 rather than 9 who are up the road, but they’re growing their lead, now up to about 40 seconds.

2026-02-19T13:24:10.861Z

Some of the names from yesterday’s break are present again, including the King of the Mountains leader Tomas Contte.

2026-02-19T13:23:06.413Z

A group of nine currently leads the race, albeit only with a slender lead of about 10 seconds on the peloton.

2026-02-19T13:18:57.032Z

2026-02-19T13:10:10.916Z

Elsewhere in the cycling world, today’s stage of the UAE Tour has just come to an exciting finish. We’ll have a full report ready soon of how it went down.

2026-02-19T13:04:08.351Z

This is a long neutralised section – 9.8km in total – so we’re still awaiting the flag to drop.

2026-02-19T13:00:22.646Z

Here’s a glimpse of Portimão, where the riders are making their way through the neutralised zone.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-02-19T12:56:03.724Z

Magnier alongside yesterday’s runner-up, Jordi Meeus, prior to the unofficial start.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-02-19T12:50:23.094Z

The riders are mobile and making their way through the neutralised one, ahead of the official start.

2026-02-19T12:48:23.969Z

Paul Magnier at the start, resplendent in the leader’s yellow jersey.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-02-19T12:45:13.358Z

Some housekeeping from yesterday’s stage – Santiago Mesa was relegated from 5th to 157th at the finish, having nearly caused Arnaud De Lie to crash, bumping the latter up to fifth.

2026-02-19T12:41:16.132Z

The summit finish will be Alto da Fóia, a mountain familiar from previous editions of the Volta ao Algarve as the destination of the second stage. Averaging 6.2% and lasting a lengthy 8.8km, it will be the toughest climb most of the riders competing have faced so far this season.

2026-02-19T12:34:46.986Z

Magnier won’t remain in the leader’s jersey by the end of the day, however. It might only be stage two, but the severity of the summit finish makes this the race’s Queen Stage, which will prompt all of the GC hopefuls into action.

2026-02-19T12:33:26.359Z

Paul Magnier wears the leader’s jersey today after his excellent sprint finish yesterday, against an illustrious field of sprinters that also included Jasper Philipsen. It felt like a statement result from the young Frenchman, and a sign that his talent is blossoming yet more in this new season.