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2026-02-22T16:15:57.270Z
Thanks for joining us today, and for the whole of what has proven to be another great edition of the Volta ao Algarve, solidifying its status as one of the gems of the early season.
For the purists, of course, mid-February doesn’t count as the ‘real’ cycling season – that only gets underway this coming weekend, with the double-header of Omloop Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. We’ll be back for all the action in both, so be sure to join us once more!
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T16:11:30.067Z
Riccitello then took over as the summit neared, attempting to set his Decathlon teammate Seixas up and drop Ayuso, but wasn’t able to do so.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T16:09:41.569Z
Almeida tried to ride everyone of his wheel on the final climb, but it was neither long nor hard enough for him to do so.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T16:05:12.591Z
In the points classification, Paul Magnier was under pressure from Ayuso, but just about manages to seal victory by just 3 points.
2026-02-22T16:03:54.960Z
While the final podium remained the same, there were a few changes further down the GC.
2026-02-22T15:58:51.012Z
Ayuso, Onley and Seixas taking each other on in the final dash to the line.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T15:57:02.080Z
Lidl-Trek can also be very happy with how they defended the yellow jersey today. They came under a lot of pressure throughout the day, first from Schachmann, then Lipowitz and Vauquelin, and finally from Almeida and Seixas, but were up to the occasion each time. That bodes well as they plan to take on bigger stage races with their new Spanish star as the season goes on.
2026-02-22T15:53:43.621Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T15:52:21.728Z
Victory today rounds off what has been a perfect start to life at Lidl-Trek for Juan Ayuso. On the basis of this, the move appears set to be a very mutually beneficial one, with the rider relishing the role as overall lead, and the team relishing having a world class stage racer to rally behind.
2026-02-22T15:49:39.833Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T15:45:45.960Z
That all means that Ayuso, Seixas and Almeida all seal their places on the final GC podium, and in that order.
2026-02-22T15:44:50.434Z
Thomas Gloag is a surprising fifth place at 6 seconds, while Riccitello finishes 6th at 14 seconds having tried to set Seixas up for the win.
2026-02-22T15:43:52.201Z
Almeida was fourth four seconds behind, not quite succeeding with his attack earlier on the climb.
2026-02-22T15:43:13.272Z
Onley began the sprint, and while Seixas saw him edge away, Ayuso managed to cling on to his wheel, then overtake him at the line.
2026-02-22T15:41:29.142Z
Onley is second, and Seixas third.
2026-02-22T15:41:00.978Z
Ayuso has indeed won the stage!
AYUSO WINS
2026-02-22T15:40:28.779Z
Ayuso wins the Volta ao Algarve! But has he also won the stage?
2026-02-22T15:40:06.575Z
Ayuso challenges him…and it’s a photo finish on the line between them!
2026-02-22T15:39:43.666Z
We’re nearnig the srpting, and Onley is making a move.
2026-02-22T15:39:23.462Z
Seixas will likely need to drop Ayuso for yellow, bounus won’t be enough…
2026-02-22T15:38:57.765Z
Ayuso is glued to his wheel, with 3 others.
2026-02-22T15:38:44.047Z
And now Seixas makes his move!
2026-02-22T15:38:29.327Z
Seixas’ teammate Riccitello has made a move, going to the front of the group as they enter the final 1km.
2026-02-22T15:37:21.880Z
Still 7 riders left with Almeida – Onley, Ayuso, Seixas, among them.
2026-02-22T15:36:45.754Z
Arensman is among those dropped, despite being 5th on GC.
2026-02-22T15:36:19.056Z
Now only 8 riders are left, under Almeida’s pace.
2026-02-22T15:35:57.858Z
Seixas and Ayuso are both right up there, about third and fourth in line.
2026-02-22T15:35:28.470Z
He’s stretching the group out, with only about 12 left.
2026-02-22T15:35:07.285Z
With 2km to go, Almeida takes over at the front. This is his last hurrah for the yellow jersey.
2026-02-22T15:34:22.642Z
UAE lead the peloton with Großschartner.
2026-02-22T15:33:22.292Z
That’s it, the catch is made – and just as they start the final climb!
2026-02-22T15:33:05.341Z
Lipowitz and Vauquelin are about to be caught. They will surely be very tired now on the final climb, which gives the riders behind fourth-place Vauquelin a chance to overtake him on GC.
2026-02-22T15:31:21.987Z
A reminder that just seven seconds separate Juan Ayuso and Paul Seixas at the top of the GC. That’s the amount that the latter needs to gain to take the overall victory.
2026-02-22T15:30:30.520Z
Just 10 seconds now for the leaders.
5KM TO GO
2026-02-22T15:28:54.608Z
Lipowitz and Vauquelin’s days look numbered. They’re now just 15 seconds ahead. After all the day’s action, it appears everything’s going to come down to the a race in the peloton up the final climb.
2026-02-22T15:27:59.731Z
UAE’s Felix Großschartner is leading the peloton, with just 7km left to go, and under 4km until the start of the final climb.
2026-02-22T15:26:18.591Z
A reminder that Lipowitz is 57 seconds down on Ayuso on GC, and Vauquelin 1:17.
2026-02-22T15:25:29.170Z
Incidentally, with just one more climb to take on, Tomas Contte is poised to seal victory in the King of the Mountain classification.
2026-02-22T15:24:41.141Z
That final climb will be the Alto do Malhão. Here’s what happened last time up it, when João Almeida dropped all but a select few. Surely he’ll try another move now, but is unlikely to gain all the time he needs to take the yellow jersey.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T15:23:08.510Z
They’re into the final 10km, with just the final climb to the finsh yet to tackle. The duo’s lead is 33 seconds – they’re in with a chance of the stage, but the GC looks beyond them.
10KM TO GO
2026-02-22T15:22:16.286Z
Despite Lipowitz’s attempted attack, he and Vauqulin don’t appear to have fallen out, and are still working together.
2026-02-22T15:20:58.611Z
Lipowitz takes the points ahead of Vauqulin at the top of the climb, but they remain together. Alaphilippe is third to the top, but the Lidl-led peloton are nearly up to him now.
KOM – SOIDOS
2026-02-22T15:18:22.680Z
Lipowitz accelerates on the climb, but Vauqulin is staying on his wheel.
2026-02-22T15:17:30.123Z
No signs of any attacks in the peloton yet, with Lidl-Trek controlling matters.
2026-02-22T15:17:08.637Z
The lead group is breaking up on this climb. First Tratnik, then Bayer and now Alaphilippe have lost contact.
2026-02-22T15:15:41.975Z
Alaphilippe has been caught by the chasing quartet.
2026-02-22T15:15:25.726Z
After Almeida’s move earlier, we can anticipate him having another go.
2026-02-22T15:15:01.023Z
The riders are on the Soidos climb for the second time. Will we see any GC attacks?
2026-02-22T15:14:28.401Z
Alaphilippe’s last win came from a similar long-distence move at the GP de Montreal last year, but chances of a repeat success are disappearing as his lead gets smaller and smaller.
2026-02-22T15:11:49.187Z
Julian Alaphilippe at the front of the race.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T15:09:13.765Z
Lipowitz and especially Vauquelin are real threats on GC, the former 1:17 down on Ayuso, and the latter just 57 seconds. For now, the peloton has them under control, but can’t afford the deficit of 30 to grow much larger.
2026-02-22T15:07:43.916Z
Decathlon have put a person at the front of the peloton to assist Lidl-Trek with the chase, in service of Paul Seixas.
2026-02-22T15:06:50.452Z
Talking of which, there are two more climbs left to come – and they’re the same two climbs as were tackled earlier in the stage, with the stage finish taking place at the summit of the Alto do Malhão.
2026-02-22T15:05:55.516Z
Alaphilippe, meanwhile, is flying, keeping his lead at 1:00 over the chasers and 1:30 over the peloton. But we know how the Frenchman likes to race, pushing himself to the limit at the risk of burning out later on – don’t be surprised to see him run out of matches on the upcoming climbs.
2026-02-22T15:04:12.357Z
Despite having the peloton bearing down on them, the four chasers aren’t giving up and working well together. It’s a useful move for Lipowitz, who can depend on his teammate Tratnik to pace him.
2026-02-22T15:03:00.996Z
Amid the breathless action, it’s easy to forget that other races have taken place this afternoon.
2026-02-22T15:00:32.771Z
João Almeida, laying down the hammer on the last climb.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T14:56:51.671Z
That quartet is 1:30 behind Alaphilippe in the lead, and only 15 seconds ahead of the peloton.
30KM TO GO
2026-02-22T14:56:15.148Z
Lipowitz and Vauqulin have caught Bayer, who had previosuly caught Tratnik, and the four riders are now all riding together.
2026-02-22T14:55:25.240Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T14:54:43.791Z
The peloton now has about 20 or 30 riders in it, including three Lidl teammates pacing Ayuso.
2026-02-22T14:53:19.152Z
That’s bad new also for Alaphilippe, who now has to ride all by himself.
2026-02-22T14:51:55.826Z
He went down heavily, and may have to abandon.
2026-02-22T14:51:26.482Z
Ther German got a corner wrong while following Alaphilippe.
2026-02-22T14:51:09.301Z
Max Schachmann has gone down on the descent.
CRASH – SCHACHMANN
2026-02-22T14:48:59.029Z
Up ahead, Tratnik has gone clear of Bayer and is third on the road, 20 seconds behind the two leaders.
2026-02-22T14:48:31.590Z
Ayuso now has three riders to help pace him at the front of the group of favourites, which is big enough to be called a ‘peloton’ again.
2026-02-22T14:47:31.236Z
The yellow jersey group is getting bigger as more riders rejoin following the climb.
2026-02-22T14:43:58.567Z
So as things stand, Schachmann and Alaphilippe lead by 1:45 ahead of a small group of favourites featuring Ayuso, Seixas, Almeida and a few others, with Lipowitz and Vauquelin a little ahead of the group of favourites, and Tratnik and Bayer a little behind the two leaders.
40KM TO GO
2026-02-22T14:42:01.655Z
Lipowitz and Vauquelin have attacked on clear on the descent.
2026-02-22T14:41:07.606Z
This 8-man group of favourites have made it to the top, about 1:50 behind Schachmann and Alaphilippe.
2026-02-22T14:40:33.130Z
Almeida attacks again over the summit of the climb. He clearly means business, and has ambitions on yellow.
2026-02-22T14:40:04.735Z
Almeida has slowed, and some riders are rejoining. All the main GC men appear to be here.
2026-02-22T14:39:35.112Z
Almeida has only about 5 riders with him – Ayuso is on his wheel, followed by Seixas.
2026-02-22T14:39:03.979Z
João Almeida is taking it upon himself to lead the peloton on this climb! He’s setting a fast pace, and the peloton is getting smaller and smaller as a result.
2026-02-22T14:36:37.917Z
Schachmann and Alaphilippe are really wanting to push on on this clmb.
2026-02-22T14:36:14.449Z
Tratnik and Bayer are 10 seconds behind, and Van Boven a distant 20 seconds already.
2026-02-22T14:35:43.092Z
Schachmann and Alaphilippe are distancing the rest of the break on this climb.
2026-02-22T14:34:56.309Z
The riders are approaching the second climb of the day, the Alto do Malhão, which will also host the finish in under 50km’s time. It’s harder than the last, longer at 2.6km, and steeper at 9%.
2026-02-22T14:33:21.887Z
With Red Bull also having Dani Martínez up in 6th on GC at 1:12, Lipowitz’s attack could be a sign that the team plan to attack in tandem with their two GC threats.
2026-02-22T14:30:55.758Z
Lipowitz has been brought back. It was a bold move, albeit short-lived – but indicates that more attacks could come on the upcoming climbs, with the peloton struggling to keep this race under control.
2026-02-22T14:30:09.029Z
Up ahead, the break’s advantage has been reduced, to 2 minutes. The peloton is fighting back.
50KM TO GO
2026-02-22T14:29:06.137Z
Here’s Lipowitz making his move.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T14:27:58.077Z
Lipowitz is 8th on GC at just 1:17, so a significant threat.
2026-02-22T14:27:24.946Z
More drama, as Florian Lipowitz uses the climb to launch an attack out of the peloton!
2026-02-22T14:26:25.927Z
Schachmann led the break over the summit, ahead of Alaphilippe and Tratnik. None of these riders had any KOM points before the stage – the focus instead is on both the GC and the stage win.
KOM – SOIDOS
2026-02-22T14:24:53.723Z
While race leader Juan Ayuso is the main man under threat by Schachmann’s presence in their breakaway, Paul Seixas (pictured here in white) is also poised to lose his chance of competing for the jersey if the peloton can’t bring him back.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T14:18:14.101Z
Lidl-Trek riding at the front of the peloton in defence of Juan Ayuso’s overall lead, the hurt clearly showing on their faces.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T14:15:44.079Z
The riders are on the first climb of the day – the Soidos, which rises at 7% for 2.1km.
2026-02-22T14:10:51.536Z
The gap’s still getting bigger, now up to 2:30. At what point should panic set in among Ayuso and everyone else who wanted to go for the yellow jersey today?
2026-02-22T14:08:12.519Z
Here is Schachmann, pushing on at the front of the breakaway.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T14:06:35.371Z
Interesting development here as the break’s lead has rocketed up to over 2:10 in the space of just a few kilometres. Schachmann is now the virtual leader, and by almost 30 seconds – the peloton can’t afford to allow the gap to continue to grow.
2026-02-22T14:01:02.286Z
The break’s lead has edged just a little higher, to 1:40. That puts Schachmann on the brink of becoming the virtual yellow jersey.
70KM TO GO
2026-02-22T13:59:53.209Z
The five riders in the day’s break You can tell just by looking at them how hard they’ve had to ride to maintain their advantage.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T13:57:07.676Z
The terrain has been bumpy throughout the day, but the first of the four official climbs to be tackled is only just coming up, in about 15km.
2026-02-22T13:53:56.013Z
This was Filippo Ganna earlier in the stage, trying to go clear. The bunch succeeded in bringing him back, but a dangerous group has managed to go clear nonetheless.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T13:48:21.490Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T13:47:10.769Z
The breakaway riders continue to increase their lead. It’s now at 1:35, putting Schachmann to within 10 seconds of the virtual overall lead.
2026-02-22T13:39:52.332Z
Prior to this five-man break going clear, there was a flurry of short-lived attacks at the start of today’s stage, including this one from Marijn van den Berg.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T13:37:22.155Z
Despite Lidl’s work, the Schachmann group is now growing it’s lead, to just over a minute.
2026-02-22T13:35:49.939Z
In response to the threat, it’s Ayuso Lidl’s team that are leading the chase in the peloton.
2026-02-22T13:34:40.164Z
One issue for the break is that the GC favourites can’t afford to give Max Schachmann. The German is only 1:45 down on GC, and therefore won’t be allowed that much time by Ayuso and the others defending their places on GC.
2026-02-22T13:32:35.619Z
Still the situation remains in the balence, with the break about 40 seconds ahead of the bunch. It’s been a breathless start to the stage.
90KM TO GO
2026-02-22T13:29:24.681Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T13:28:09.379Z
The break has gone through the second intermediate sprint of the day and hoovered up all the bonus seconds, so Juan Ayuso wasn’t called into action once again in the peloton.
2026-02-22T13:24:32.022Z
The gap remains about the same, hovering at 40 seconds. It remains touch and go whether the peloton will let them go clear.
100KM TO GO
2026-02-22T13:23:17.964Z
Historically, steep uphill finishes like today’s are the kind that Alaphilippe would eat up, so he’d really fancy his chances of winning if the break does indeed stay clear. But Schachmann also has a powerful kick, while not as explosive a puncheur, Tratnik could be very hard to bring back if he manages to slip off and ride tempo on the less hilly terrain.
2026-02-22T13:17:08.747Z
The gap is growing, to 45 seconds. This might indeed be our break.
2026-02-22T13:14:14.525Z
First, they have to snap the elastic between themselves and the peloton. They haven’t yet, the gap still at only 25 seconds.
2026-02-22T13:13:22.817Z
That’s a much more illustrious group than those which have formed in previous stages. Could they be in with a chance of competing for the stage win?
2026-02-22T13:12:24.879Z
It’s a strong group, too. Julian Alaphilippe, Max Schachmann and Jan Tratnik are there, along with Tobias Bayer and Luca Van Boven.
2026-02-22T13:11:16.280Z
A break of five has now been established at the front, and has a promising lead of about 20 seconds.
110KM TO GO
2026-02-22T13:09:39.374Z
Magnier at the start today, in the green jersey he is seeking to defend.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T13:05:42.908Z
While Ayuso was sprinting for the bonus seconds at the intermediate sprint, Paul Magnier was doing so to defend his lead in the points classification. Here’s what those rankings look like now:
5 João Almeida 16
2026-02-22T13:00:17.659Z
We’re almost 30km into the stage, and still the break has not been formed. This has been a less straightforward start than all of the stages preceding it.
120KM TO GO
2026-02-22T12:59:05.280Z
Following António Morgado’s DNS, we have a first DNF of the day – João Silva, who was present in both the stage one and stage four breakaways.
2026-02-22T12:58:41.775Z
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T12:54:59.651Z
Filippo Ganna is among those to have attacked, trying to go clear with Hugo Nunes, but has been brought back.
2026-02-22T12:53:26.077Z
The Volta ao Algarve is one of three stage races that comes to a close today. The first was the UAE Tour, which recently finished – you can read our report to find out how it went down.
2026-02-22T12:46:13.028Z
It seems the Lotto duo who went clear are no longer out front, and a breakaway has yet to form.
130KM TO GO
2026-02-22T12:39:56.452Z
One second might not be much, but it’s a good confidence boost for Ayuso, and turns a potentially stressful situation into an advantage.
2026-02-22T12:39:05.723Z
Ayuso got in the mix for the sprint – and successfully so! He was third over the line behind Magnier and Iúri Leitão, and therefore adds 1 second to his overall lead.
2026-02-22T12:36:12.952Z
Two riders have gone clear after that sprint – Arnaud De Lie, and his Lotto teammate Huub Artz.
2026-02-22T12:35:17.658Z
The riders have gone through the sprint. We’ll confirm the results once they are reported.
2026-02-22T12:33:41.221Z
John Degenkolb has needed to change wheels.
2026-02-22T12:32:23.679Z
The question now is whether Paul Seixas will try to challenge Juan Ayuso for some seconds.
2026-02-22T12:28:53.285Z
But Ivanov has been brought back. It looks like we’re going to have a sprint in the peloton for these bonus seconds at the intermediate sprint.
2026-02-22T12:27:53.171Z
Viacheslav Ivanov has attacked alone, and got a small gap.
2026-02-22T12:25:25.575Z
No sign of any breakaway going clear just yet.
2026-02-22T12:18:48.790Z
And they’re off!
OFFICIAL START
2026-02-22T12:14:12.972Z
Ayuso and Magnier, waiting at the unofficial start a little earlier.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T12:10:56.077Z
We’ll find out soon enough – the riders are moving through the neutralised zone and will see the flag very soon.
2026-02-22T12:09:04.033Z
Interestingly, there’s an intermediate sprint within the first 10km of the start. Will the GC riders get involved to try and capture some bonus seconds?
2026-02-22T12:03:01.124Z
A reminder of what happened yesterday.
2026-02-22T11:59:25.481Z
One of Portugal’s best riders, António Morgado, will not start today pulling out with illness. He hasn’t quite looked his best this race, but will still be missed by UAE leader João Almeida as he plots to take the overall victory today.
2026-02-22T11:56:43.110Z
Here’s yesterday’s winner Paul Magier at the start this morning in Faro. Having won two stages at this race, his job is done, though he’ll want to make sure he finishes safely today and seals the green jersey he’s wearing as leader of the points classification.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-02-22T11:53:23.533Z
The first thing to report is that there has been a correction in the GC rankings since yesterday’s finish. At the time a spit of seven seconds was given in the peloton, with Seixas caught the wrong side of it and losing 7 seconds as a result. But they have now all been given the same time, meaning Seixas is just 7 seconds down on Ayuso on GC, rather than 14.
2026-02-22T11:51:18.728Z
We’re all set for the final stage of the Volta ao Algarve, where the fate of the yellow jersey will be determined.
Can Juan Ayuso hold on to his overall lead? Or will Paul Seixas gain the time he needs to depose him? Or can João Almeida or one of the riders further behind pull off a surprise? The stage is set for an exciting finale.
2026-02-17T18:31:43.820Z
Hello and welcome to the fifth and final stage of the 2026 Volta ao Algarve!
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