Pogacar holds his nerve to win Volta ao Algarve
After the feats of strength came the test of nerve. Tadej Pogačar had already showcased his physical attributes on this Volta ao Algarve by winning atop the Alto do Fóia and then extending his overall lead in the time trial the next day, but a frantic concluding leg to the Alto do Malhão called for a cool head as much as for raw power.
Pogačar, it seems, has both qualities in abundance. Mindful that his 29-second overnight lead was unlikely to dissolve in the space of the explosive, 3km climb to the finish, Pogačar’s rivals looked to examine his resolve from further out as the race snaked through the fragrant hills of the Serra do Caldeirão, but the Slovenian proved equal to the task.
The penultimate climb to Vermelhos was appropriately named. Coming just 20km from the finish, it might as well have been marked in red in the road book, such was the likelihood of on onslaught on Pogačar’s yellow jersey.
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David de la Cruz (Team Sky) kick-started the offensive on the ascent, and the move’s danger grew exponentially when second-placed Søren Kragh Andersen (Sunweb) bridged across with Zdenek Stybar (Deceuninck-QuickStep), with Steve Cummings (Dimension Data) later joining them.
Andersen’s resolute pace-making saw the move pass the early break, jettisoning De la Cruz in the process, and with 10 kilometres remaining, their advantage over the Pogačar group was touching one minute, making the Dane the virtual yellow jersey. With only two teammates for company and no help coming from other quarters, Pogačar’s once firm clutch on overall victory had loosened considerably.
"I panicked a bit, but I knew that [Simone] Petilli and [Valerio] Conti were still good, so it was pretty OK for us," Pogačar said. "It was really hard when the contenders were attacking but my teammates were so strong, I had confidence in them. But it was full gas, I would say, since kilometre 120, and already before it had been a pretty hard day."
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