Team Sky (Portugal) – Geraint Thomas extended his overall lead at Volta ao Algarve with a superb time trial performance that saw him win stage three by 11 seconds from Victor Campenaerts (Lotto-Soudal).

Thomas rounded off a tremendous team display which saw four Team Sky riders in the top 10, with Michal Kwiatkowski moving up to second overall after finishing fourth on the 22km stage.

Vasil Kiryienka finisheded ninth (+50”) and Lukasz Wisniowksi rounded off the top 10, 51 seconds back.

Thomas now leads from Kwiatkowski by 22 seconds on GC, and despite another day in the leader’s jersey, Thomas is approaching each day with cautious optimism.

He said: “It was nice to get a win and like I said yesterday I didn’t expect it.

“With the first race of the year you’re always a bit unsure but I’ve done some decent work and it’s all seemed to come together today.

“I tried to start strong and hold on and luckily I was able to.”

"There’s a lot of strong riders here so I’m not taking anything for granted.", said Geraint Thomas.

With two stages remaining, Thomas is aware of both the quality of the field and how early in his season preparations this race has come.

He added: “After just five days of racing you never know how your body will react, especially at this time of year and there’s a lot of strong riders here so I’m not taking anything for granted.

“Victories are few and far between so I’ll enjoy this.”


Vasil Kiryienka finished in the top 10.


Lukasz Wisniowski in action.