Ian's Blog

February 15, 2013 - Volta ao Algarve Stage 1

As the race started in miserable, almost British-like, conditions, Bibby was up at the front of the peloton keeping his eye on the attackers. An early group of four had pulled out a small gap but the attacks starting here, from Caja Rural and Efapel, was never going to go anywhere. Wetterhall also tried to get across later on but he, along with three others, were brought straight back.


Eventually, the foursome up the road established a gap and that was that, NetApp unfortunately missing out on the breakaway. The four were Bille (Lotto-Belisol), Turgot (Europcar), Sousa (Efapel) and Vorobyev (Katusha). The Portuguese rider was the strongest on the climbs and took the climbers' jersey. Turgot, meanwhile, was in all sorts of trouble when the road went uphill and was dropped well before the end.


Behind, the race was heating up, as Euskaltel and Cannondale made the race hard. Riders were flying out the back of the peloton but both Bibby and Benedetti were safe at the front, looking after Barta and Voss. There were a few attacks near the end, most noticeably from Albasini, Nicki Sorensen and Sagan but they were all neutralised by Euskaltel.


And as the riders hit the 5km banner, Manuel Cardoso was trying one last, pointless, attack, despite the fact he's a good sprinter. Bibby was the man bringing him back, with Voss on his wheel. Further back, Brajkovic, Nieve, Pinotti and most of Caja Rural were in trouble and would lose nearly two minutes. With Cardoso brought back, Bibby's job was done and he let Voss do the rest.


But there were no surprises as the Slovakian champion took the win on his season debut. However, he probably wasn't expecting it to be this close as the in-form Paolini and Gatto pushed him close. Voss took a solid eighth with Barta just outside the top ten. Decent start.

February 16, 2013 - Volta ao Algarve Stage 2

Just like yesterday, Bibby was right up at the front as the peloton rolled out of the start town. He looked across at Wetterhall and told him to go as the pace was pedestrian. The Swede obliged and shot off up the road.


In the end, Wetterhall was joined by three others as they pulled away from the peloton. They were Clement (Blanco), Sentjens (De Rijke) and Coquard (Europcar). These four were soon eight minutes clear and Clement picked up all the KoM points on offer as Wetterhall struggled to keep up.


Again, it was Euskaltel doing the majority of the pacesetting as they begun to reel in the escapees. The pace was high but not too bad as the NetApp Endura riders rallied around Barta and Voss.


And, despite the best efforts of Clement and Wetterhall, the escapees were caught with seven kilometres to go as the team started to position Voss at the front.


And as Cannondale wound up the worst leadout in history, Sagan was sitting behind Voss, who was following Bibby and Barta. As Ian pulled off, he boxed Sagan in, the Slovakian having to slow down before he then kicked for home. Could he pull off a two kilometre sprint?


Voss jumped straight on to Sagan's wheel as he came past and as he ran out of steam, the German popped out from behind the yellow jersey to take an astonishing win. Nobody expected that, including Paul himself! Stunning ride!

February 17, 2013 - Volta ao Algarve Stage 3

Today's breakaway contained four riders again after many other escape attempts were brought back. The successful break was made up of Duyn (De Rijke), Meyer (Orica), Kiendys (CCC Polsat) and Bauer (Garmin). Duyn was able to pick up enough points to take the climber's jersey at the end of the day.


With the gap at eight minutes, the peloton began to get a bit nervous. Cannondale weren't worried though, as they put their entire team on the front, including Basso and Moser as they sought to protect Sagan's lead. The pace put a lot of riders in trouble as the peloton was whittled down.


Approaching the final climb, and with the breakaway in sight, Bibby brought Barta to the front to get him in the ideal position to respond to the inevitable attacks. Cannondale were looking so comfortable, it was almost embarrassing.


Seeing this and knowing that Sagan would win in a sprint no problem, Barta enlivened the race with a powerful attack. As Moser tried to respond behind for Sagan, Gorka Izagirre was the only rider to join Jan as they hit the final steep ramp. Both of these riders have shown some good early season form but who could take the win?


In an astonishingly close and exciting finish, Barta JUST held off the Basque rider's challenge to take another win for NetApp Endura and gain vital bonus seconds in the process. Sagan predictably won the sprint for third, but lost eleven seconds to Barta. The GC is looking good for the team at the moment with a fairly long TT to come.