Geraint Thomas second behind Luis Leon Sanchez on Volta ao Algarve stage two
Welshman Geraint Thomas puts in solid ride on tough summit finale of stage two of the Volta ao Algarve in Portugal


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Geraint Thomas (Sky) put in a strong ride to finish second behind stage winner Luis Leon Sanchez on the mountain-top finish of Volta ao Algarve stage two in Portugal on Thursday.
Defending champion Thomas now sits in second place overall behind Spaniard Sanchez.
The day started with seven riders forming at escape group, but they were never really given a free hand to forge a significant gap and the race was back together with 40km to go.
Dries Devenyns (IAM Cycling) put in an attack soon after, but was reeled back in as the terrain became more mountainous.
It was then the turn of Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) to show himself, as the Spanish Grand Tour champion crested the second category Pomba climb out front. Behind, the peloton was breaking apart.
As the lead group hit the final climb of Alto de Fóia, Zdenek Stybar (Etixx-QuickStep), Diego Rosa (Astana), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar) and Robert Gesink (LottoNL-Jumbo) went clear and ground out a small advantage, but were caught within the final 2km and passed by a chase group that included Sanchez and Thomas.
Thomas opened up a sprint for the line first, but was caught by Sanchez, who claimed the victory and overall race lead.
One high-profile non-finisher was Joaquim Rodriguez (Katsuha), who withdrew from the stage with an illness.
The UCI 2.1-ranked Volta ao Algarve continues on Friday with stage three, a flat 18-kilometre individual time trial that should see the general classification riders and TT specialists out to make their mark.
Along with Thomas, watch out for British time trial champion Alex Dowsett (Movistar), who is sure to try and create an impression over a distance that should suit him well. However, the man to beat will be Tony Martin (Etixx-QuickStep) who looms in 12th place overall, just 25 seconds adrift of Sanchez and 20 seconds behind Thomas.
The five-day race concludes on Sunday, February 21.
Results
Volta ao Algarve 2016, stage two: Lagoa to Alto da Fóia, 198.6km
1. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Astana
2. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky at 1 sec
3. Primoz Roglic (Slo) LottoNL-Jumbo at 3 secs
4. Ion Izagirre (Spa) Movistar at 3 secs
5. Tiago Machado (Por) Katusha at 5 secs
6. Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ at 6 secs
7. Manuel Amaro (Por) LA Aluminios-Antarte at 9 secs
8. Hector Saez (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA at 13 secs
9. Tiesj Benoot (Bel) Lotto-Soudal at 14 secs
10. Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana at 15 secs
General classification after stage two
1. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Astana
2. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky at 5 secs
3. Primoz Roglic (Slo) LottoNL-Jumbo at 9 secs
4. Ion Izagirre (Spa) Movistar at 13 secs
5. Tiago Machado (Por) Katusha at 15 secs
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
-
Snapped cranks, motorbikes and decade-old handlebars - breaking sprinting's oldest world record
Jeffrey Hoogland is going after the longest-standing record in track cycling
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Best fenders - mudguards - for gravel bikes 2023: top models we recommend
Want to extend the life of your components and ride in greater comfort? We’ve rounded up the best fenders / mudguards to protect both you and your gravel bike
By Stefan Abram Published
-
Tweets of the week: Trek's new Lidl kit, Alaphilippe's unusual training and the Cavendish/Thomas show
Your favourite social media roundup from the world of professional cycling
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tweets of the week: Geraint Thomas has a happy birthday and Elisa Balsamo gets her unicorn back
Oh and Jumbo-Visma gets back into its Twitter account
By Adam Becket Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Geraint Thomas
Rugby over football, Eminem, podcasts – oh, and some cycling stuff
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Maindy Flyers CC say moving Cardiff velodrome risks them missing the next Geraint Thomas
Earlier this week, historic Welsh club where Geraint Thomas, Owain Doull and Elinor Barker started out released open letter detailing their opposition to relocation
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
CW LIVE: Wout van Aert and Shirin van Anrooij win cyclo-cross in Koksijde; Rapha unveil EF Education kits; Police search for two suspects in Mark Cavendish robbery; Paris-Nice route announced; Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas to ride Tour Down Under
All the latest in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Tweets of the week: Ineos Grenadiers' three wise men, team jersey déjà vu and World Cup celebrations by bike
Here's our social media round-up, featuring a cycling all-star nativity
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Geraint Thomas: 'I'm the best footballer at Ineos Grenadiers'
The Welsh cyclist shares his views on the World Cup, Arsenal's title chances and his own football skills
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Geraint Thomas announces he will race in 2022 Commonwealth Games
The Welshman took to Twitter to reveal he will return to the event after failing to defend his road race title in 2018
By Ryan Dabbs Published