Ayuso pushes Ganna all the way in time trial to retain Volta ao Algarve lead

Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) remains the leader of the Volta ao Algarve after an impressive display in the stage 3 time trial in Vilamoura, where he placed a narrow second to Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers).

The Spaniard had the quickest time at the intermediate check and although he risked overshooting a corner in the finale of the 19.5km test, he came home just five seconds down on Ganna to retain the overall lead.

After claiming his first pro win on the Alto da Fóia on Thursday, Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) followed up with an assured display here, placing fourth on the stage, 12 seconds down on Ganna. That performance leaves him in second overall, seven seconds behind Ayuso.

João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) suffered a hefty blow to his overall challenge as he struggled to 10th place on the stage, 42 seconds down on Ganna.

Thursday’s summit finish at the Alto da Fóia produced arguably the most exciting finale of the season to date, and this time trial brought further definition to the general classification battle, which looks set to come down to a joust between Ayuso and Seixas on the Alto do Malhão on Sunday. Almeida remains third overall, but he now trails his former teammate Ayuso by 44 seconds.

Ineos Grenadiers placed three riders in the top 10 on the stage, and Kévin Vauquelin’s effort lifts him to fourth overall, 57 seconds down on Ayuso, while Thymen Arensman is now fifth at 1:01.

It was a more disappointing outing for fellow new arrival Oscar Onley. The Scot was in the mix on the Alto da Fóia, but he drops to seventh overall after conceding more than a minute in this test.

Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) slipped into the top 10 on the stage, just ahead of Almeida, but the German is now over a minute off Ayuso’s yellow jersey.

Although Ayuso was the overnight leader after the Fóia, he did not wear the yellow jersey on Friday due to a prior agreement with the race organisation, who allowed riders to wear their own skinsuits in the stage.

Ayuso scorched out to rapid start here, coming through the midpoint a second clear of Ganna and five ahead of Seixas. He was unable to do enough to beat Ganna to the stage honours, but added another two seconds to his buffer over Seixas in the closing kilometres to retain the overall lead. Ayuso’s young teammate Jakob Söderqvist placed third on the stage, seven seconds behind Ganna.

The Volta ao Algarve continues on Saturday with a likely opportunity for the sprinters in Lagos before the race concludes with the traditional double ascent of the Alto do Malhão on Sunday.