![\"FOIA,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/TqMXkzsyidnVgEiXDtW6W8.jpg\")
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2026-02-20T13:43:02.169Z<\/p>\n
Laurens De Plus has just rolled off the start ramp. He might have fancied his chances of a strong ride today, and been up there on GC, but endured a crash earlier in the race that has seen him tumble well down the classification.<\/p>\n
2026-02-20T13:39:27.024Z<\/p>\n
He won\u2019t be making his way to the hot seat, however, as Daniel Dias has just arrived in a time 30 seconds quicker.<\/p>\n
2026-02-20T13:38:40.676Z<\/p>\n
Our first rider has arrived at he finish line – Francisco Pereira, in a time of 30 seconds.<\/p>\n
2026-02-20T13:37:31.732Z<\/p>\n
The three jersey wearers, on the podium yesterday – Ayuso in yellow, Seixas in green and Contte in blue.<\/p>\n
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(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2026-02-20T13:35:14.705Z<\/p>\n
Nine riders have gone through the first time check so far – all of them Portuguese. Diogo Narcisco is the fastest of them so far, 12 seconds quicker than Dias.<\/p>\n
2026-02-20T13:32:17.503Z<\/p>\n
While this stage is beginning, the fifth stage of the UAE Tour has just finished – read all about it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2026-02-20T13:31:04.889Z<\/p>\n The first couple of riders have gone through the time check, which is positioned half way into the stage. Daniel Dias arrived there in 14:37, 32 seconds quicker than Francisco Pereira.<\/p>\n 2026-02-20T13:25:39.527Z<\/p>\n Neither rain nor wind looks set to be a factor today, in what is a mild, sunny day in the Algarve.<\/p>\n 2026-02-20T13:21:35.091Z<\/p>\n For both Ayuso and Seixas, the seven seconds they have might not be enough against as strong a time trialist as Jo\u00e3o Almeida.<\/p>\n While the Portuguese rider was not able to follow their kick at the top of the climb yesterday, he still looked in great form, and will be able to ride today entirely at his own tempo without having to worry about the explosive sprint that put paid to his chances yesterday.<\/p>\n 2026-02-20T13:14:07.374Z<\/p>\n The stage is underway, with Francisco Pereira the first rider off the start ramp.<\/p>\n TIME TRIAL BEGINS<\/p>\n 2026-02-20T13:10:46.615Z<\/p>\n Seixas may have a lot of talent, but will that be enough to defeat the much more accomplished Juan Ayuso? Ayuso is a very good rider against the clock – his last overall stage victory, at the 2025 Tirreno-Adritaico, came off the back of a flat opening time trial in which only Filippo Ganna went faster than him.<\/p>\n 2026-02-20T13:03:27.820Z<\/p>\n We\u2019re still learning a lot about yesterday’s winner Paul Seixas, but the early signs are that the 19-year old’s formidable talents also include time trialing. He won not one but two stages against the clock during his overall triumph at the Tour de l\u2019Avenir last year, and at professional level was 3rd in the French national championships, and 16th at the Worlds.<\/p>\n 2026-02-20T12:59:22.420Z<\/p>\n The 19.5km route features rolling roads, but no climbs, and has some quite technical sections amid urban roads. There\u2019s scope here for the specialists to put some significant time into the GC rivals less skilled against the clock.<\/p>\n 2026-02-20T12:54:10.177Z<\/p>\n The first of the day’s 165 riders will sett off in just under 20 minutes. You can find the full list of start times here.<\/p>\n