Geraint Thomas wins the Volta ao Algarve
British Sky rider Geraint Thomas secures overall victory in Vola ao Algarve after a solid performance on the final climbing stage in Portugal, won by Alberto Contador


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 (Team Sky) has won the 2016 Volta ao Algarve in Portugal, successfully defending his victory in the race from last year.
Welshman Thomas placed fifth on the final, climb-filled stage behind Alberto Contador (Tinkoff). Contador's solo move on Alto do Malhao shows that his early-season climbing form is in a good place on a day that Grand Tour rivals Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and Alejandro Valverde (Movsitar) also took significant wins elsewhere.
Vuelta a España winner Fabio Aru (Astana) finished second on the stage, with Frenchman Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) in third.
Race leader Tony Martin (Etixx-QuickStep) was distanced relatively early on, during the first ascent of Alto do Malhao, and quickly lost time and any chance of standing on the top step of the final podium.
Thomas won last year's edition of Volta ao Algarve before a standout season that saw him claim the victory in E3 Harelbeke and an extended spell in the top 10 of the Tour de France, before eventually finishing 15th. This season Thomas is concentrating on stage races, rather than the classics, as he seeks to establish himself as a GC leader at Team Sky.
Although Thomas did not win any stages in this year's Volta ao Algarve, his third place in Friday's time trial stage saw him gain valuable time on his GC rivals and his final climbing performance was enough for him to claim the race win ahead of Ion Izagirre (Movistar) by 19 seconds and Contador in third at 26 seconds.
Results
Volta ao Algarve 2016, stage five: Almodovar to Malhao, 196km
1. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff
2. Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana at 20 secs
3. Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ at same time
4. Manuel Amaro (Por) LA Aluminios at 21 secs
5. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky at 28 secs
6. Primoz Roglic (Slo) LottoNL-Jumbo
7. Rigoberto Uran (Col) Cannondale at same time
8. Dries Devenyns (Bel) IAM Cycling at 30 secs
9. Julian Arredondo (Col) Trek-Segafredo at same time
10. Jarlinson Pantano (Col) IAM Cycling at 31 secs
Final general classification
1. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky
2. Ion Izagirre (Spa) Movistar at 19 secs
3. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff at 26 secs
4. Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ at 32 secs
5. Primoz Roglic (Slo) LottoNL-Jumbo at 49 sces
6. Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto-Soudal at 50 secs
7. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus) Katusha at 1-03
8. Jarlinson Pantano (Col) IAM Cycling at 1-04
9. Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana at 1-25
10. Manuel Amaro (Por) LA Aluminios at 1-27
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.
-
-
Back from bankruptcy, Mavic opens new facility in Vermont, teases new product
In addition to re-establishing sales in North America, the historic brand will release new wheels in the coming months
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Neilson Powless on Saving Road Racing in America, Polka Dots and Parenthood
American Neilson Powless talks us through his 2023 Tour de France, preparing for parenthood and his goals for next season and beyond
By Tyler Boucher Published
-
Tom Pidcock: Tour of Britain route 'not really ideal for me'
Brit says he wants to win home stage race, even if the course plays in Wout van Aert's favour
By Tom Davidson 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
-
This 39-year-old INEOS Grenadiers rider moonlights as a pro triathlete
A Jack of all trades, Cameron Wurf is a domestique for INEOS Grenadiers professional cycling team, but doubles as a successful pro triathlete.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Geraint Thomas
Rugby over football, Eminem, podcasts – oh, and some cycling stuff
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers' only female rider Pauline Ferrand-Prévot eyes road return
Mountain bike legend could be back in the peloton next year
By Tom Davidson 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