2022 Volta ao Algarve Stage 5 Results & Recap
Stage 5 of the 2022 Volta ao Algarve is in the books. The final results and standings are below, followed by our recap of how the race unfolded.
Race Recap
The last stage of the Volta ao Algarve 2022 is by Sergio Higuita. The EF Education - EasyPost rider imposes himself on the Alto de Malhao, where the Lusitanian race ended by issuing its final verdicts, with the final success of Remco Evenepoel, who came with a few seconds delay after making the final selection in the final ascent, checking up to the last 500 meters. Second of the day is Daniel Martinez (Ineos Grenadiers), with the podium of the day completed by Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) in front of David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), who completed the quintet that played the victory at the top of the Alto de Malhao. Together with the standard-bearer of the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, with his second success in this race, McNulty and Martinez climbed on the final podium, at a distance of 1'17 "and 1'21". . However, no one manages to make the difference and so the group transits compactly to the first two Flying Goals, which sanction Fabio Jakobsen as winner of the points classification, and to the first GPM of the day. To see something interesting you have to wait for the sixtieth kilometer, with the extension of Georg Zimmermann (IWG), Juan Pedro López (TFS), Joel Nicolau (CJR), Thomas Pidcock (IGD), Johannes Staune-Mittet (TJV), José Neves (W52), Ivo Oliveira (UAD), César Fonte (KSU), Pascal Eenkhoorn (TJV), Anthony Delaplace (ARK), Lukas Pöstlberger (BOH), Rafael Reis (GCT), Dries De Bondt (AFC), Yves Lampaert (QST), Fabian Lienhard (GFC), Iker Ballarin (EUS), Nickolas Zukowsky (HPM), Michele Gazzoli (AST), Oscar Riesebeek (AFC) and João Matias (TAV), to whom the group struggles to give much margin.
With the arrival of the first climbs, however, the pace behind them drops and the fugitives come to count on an advantage of almost three minutes. Realizing that Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl has no interest in going to catch up with the attackers, so much so that they have also put a man in front, a tactical choice that will prove invaluable later, the other teams begin to work at about 60 kilometers from the conclusion. The escape, which in the meantime has lost Riesebeek due to a fall in which Pidcock was involved, meanwhile begins to fight, first with Neves, but then above all with Dries De Bondt, who is determined to shake the situation. Nicolau, Oliveira and Eenkhoorn move with him.
This quartet thus approaches the ascent of Alte with a few seconds of advantage over the former adventure companions, many of whom are however within sight of the GPM. But now the party has begun and the situation remains lively, with De Bond once again extending. Oliveira returns to him again, this time followed by Zimmermann, with the trio finding a better understanding to stretch ahead of the first ascent of Alto do Malhao, where the stage will subsequently end. While behind them the chase seems to weaken, even in the group it begins to get serious, with Daniel Martinez trying to test the reaction of the opponents. Seeing that the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl does not react, David Gaudu is quick to respond, followed at that point by Brandon McNulty, Sergio Higuita and Remco Evenepoel, who knows well the value of rivals, which also includes Tobias Foss and Jay Vine, albeit with a few more rides.
At that point the pace drops, with everyone following the leader of the race, at least until the next shot by Martinez, who sees the quick reaction of the Belgian. The others, on the other hand, this time did not answer immediately, but returned without too much effort as soon as the Colombian took a moment to breathe. Between those who are caught and those who come back from behind, behind the head of the race, to which Oliveira no longer belongs, a small group is formed composed of Remco Evenepoel (QST), Brandon Mcnulty (UAD), Daniel Felipe Martinez (IGD) , Tobias Foss (TJV), David Gaudu (GFC), Thibault Guernalec (ARK), Sergio Higuita (BOH), Joel Nicolau (CJR), Johannes Staune-Mittet (TJV), Jay Vine (AFC), Yves Lampaert (QST) and Michele Gazzoli (AST). De Bondt and Zimmermann's action ends a little later, thanks above all to the work of Staune-Mittet and Lampaert in favor of their captains, while behind it is the Ineos Grenadiers who pull in favor of Ethan Hayter, who was left out. he approach to the next and last climb is thus marked by the rhythm of Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl and Jumbo-Visma, which however are unable to prevent the group from returning in view of the final ascent. This allows Remco Evenepoel to recover two other teammates, who immediately take the lead to shoot. Kasper Asgreen, Yves Lampaert and Louis Vervaeke thus raise the pace up to 1500 meters from the end, when Evenepoel himself gives a further acceleration. Only Gaudu, McNulty, Martinez and Higuita remain with him, sticking to his wheel up to 500 meters from the finish. At that point a slight slowdown to decide what to do in view of what is now an inevitable sprint.
First to shoot, 300 meters from the line, is McNulty, who starts long, probably aware of not having the shot of the others. First to overcome it is Martinez, with Gaudu who seems to be struggling, unlike Higuita, who in turn is quick to follow his compatriot. At the approach of the last corner it is clear that the winner of the day will be Colombian and to celebrate it is the one who wears the colors of his country, thus redeeming the mocking fall of the second stage. A little later Evenepoel crossed the finish line with his arms raised and won the race.
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