Volta ao Algarve (st. 1)

Rui Costa claims 8th in turbulent sprint of day one in Algarve, after several incidents in the closing stages of a nonetheless calm day for Movistar Team

Calmness at the first day of racing in the 39th Volta ao Algarve -an apparently flat stage, yet with 2,700 meters of positive drop on its 198km from Faro to Albufeira- was spoiled in the final 3km. Movistar Team, focused on staying away from any misfortune in the two days prior to the exciting weekend, with the mountain-top finish in Malhao (Saturday) and the 35km ITT to Tavira on Sunday, wasn’t involved neither in the mass crash nor in a wrong road turn that ruined some sprinters’ chances.

Rui Costa, always paying attention into a race where he will be one of the riders to follow by his countrymen, profited from the situation and jumped into the 8th place of a stage where German Paul Martens (BLA) won a confuse final sprint. The Portuguese hopes to stay into the top places at Lagoa on Friday, stage two finishing with several ups, downs and turns after 195km keeping the same profile from Thursday’s stage.