The queen stage was déjà vu from the first mountain-top finish in the Algarve. Once again, Remco Evenepoel and Dani Martínez battled it out over the final metres - and once again Martínez took the win. BORA - hansgrohe returns home from the Volta ao Algarve with two stage victories, the KOM classification and second place in the GC.
The final stage of the Volta ao Algarve was highly competitive. It took 65 kilometres until a breakaway group formed. 20 riders, including Max Schachmann as a tactical option from BORA - hansgrohe, went clear. But even after that, the peloton refused to settle. With 40 kilometres to go, Wout van Aert attacked from the peloton and quickly caught up with the leaders. But thanks to a great chase, all the escapees were caught again by the final climb. The last steep metres were characterised by many attacks - only Dani Martínez was able to follow Remco Evenepoel's decisive attempt.
Stage 5
01 D. Martínez 3:55:35
02 R. Evenepoel +0:00
03 T. Pidcock +0:03
GC
01 R. Evenepoel 18:45:53
02 D. Martínez +0:43
03 J. Tratnik +1:21
From the finish line
Dani Martínez: "This was definitely the hardest stage of the Volta ao Algarve. There were a lot of attacks today. I knew that there was still a long way to go until the finale and I stayed calm. Also, I have to say the team did a great job. I finished second here two years ago, and to win again now is really something special for me."
DS Christian Pömer: "We knew that today's stage would be raced like a classic. We concentrated completely on winning the stage with Dani and that was pure tactics. A huge compliment to Jordi and Marco, who sacrificed themselves early in the chase. That paved the way to the stage win. In the finale, we were able to rely on Max and Bob to close the gap. Dani still had Sergio at his side on the final climb. That's exactly the way we want to race: ride as a unit and go for the win. That worked out brilliantly."