The Colombian cyclist Daniel Felipe Martínez (Ineos) won the Tour of the Algarve this Sunday, after the last 24-kilometer time trial stage, in which he had such a good performance that he went from seventh place to first in the individual general classification.
Martinez beat the likes of Filippo Ganna and his teammates Thomas Pidcock and put in a sensational performance in the Portuguese competition, finishing third overall last year.
Daniel Martínez returned to his privileges, as in the time trial he was fourth in the 24.4-kilometre fraction, in which he beat rivals such as the world time trial champion Tobias Foss (Jumbo-Visma) and was one of the four riders who rolled at an average speed of over 49 km/h.
The partial victory went to the Swiss Stefan Küng (Groupama – FDJ) with a time of 29 minutes and 34 seconds, being 4 seconds faster than the French Rémi Cavagna (Soudal-Quick Step) and 10 seconds faster than the Italian Filippo Ganna ( INEOS Grenadiers).
“This race was for Ganna, but it was given to me. I’m happy with what I’ve done in the Algarve. The good thing is that the team won, that’s the key,” said the champion, who took revenge for the last national road championship in Colombia, where he could not retain his crown.
The presentation of the Colombian allowed him to move up six spaces in the general classification and establish himself as champion, escorted on the final podium by his teammate Filippo Ganna and the Belgian Ilan Van Wilder (Soudal-Quick Step).
This was Martinez’s 14th win in his career. Algarve is his eighth title, which indicates that he is ready for this first part of 2023.
classifications
Time trial stage
1. Stefan Kung 29 min 34 sec
2. Remi Cavagna at 4 seconds
3. Filippo Ganna at 10 seconds
4. Daniel Martínez at 15 seconds
General ranking
1. Daniel Martínez 20 h 00 min 26 s
2. Filippo Ganna at 2 s
3. Ilan van Wilder 15 seconds away
4. Tobias Foss at 22 seconds
5. Stefan Kung at 26s
6. Joao Almeida at 40 seconds