'Frison is the man... I don't see any sun behind him' - Gloag praises teammate after promising Algarve performance

The 24-year-old Gloag, was embarking on his first stage race with his new team, Pinarello-Q36.5 and impressed by finishing 10th on the second stage atop the Alto da Fóia. 

However, the British rider eclipsed that ride by making the final selection on the fifth and final stage atop the Alto do Malhão and finished 5th in an uphill sprint to the line. These results, combined with the time trial, meant that Gloag ended the week in 11th overall, with plenty of positive signs.

It was clear at the finish that Gloag has settled in well with his new team colours and is grateful for the support the squad has shown him. Earlier in the week in Portugal, he told Domestique that the switch from Visma | Lease a Bike to Pinarello-Q36.5 had been pretty seamless.

"I mean, like, I've had such a fantastic winter, I've been healthy and, like the team, made a really big commitment, sending seven of us up to Chile for three and a half weeks in January, and I really, really appreciate that,” Gloag told reporters, including Domestique. “And you know, I'm hopefully going to have a few races like this to be able to pay that off.”

For Gloag, the ambition now is to build on the momentum created over the last week in Portugal and work towards a strong level of consistency, something he believes he has lacked in recent seasons.

“Yeah, like, it's always been tricky for me because, to be honest, like, when I was younger, I didn't do as much volume,” said Gloag. “So that, coupled with the fact that I've had a few bigger crashes and a couple of health issues, just kind of meant that endurance and consistency. I've always been lacking a bit.

“So that's something that I really want to work on here, and so far, touch wood, the last few months have been a really nice block, so I'm hoping to be able to continue that.”

In terms of his takeaways for the week, Gloag highlighted the pace of those in the battle for yellow and also had high praise for his Belgian teammate Frederik Frison, who is one of the most respected and well regarded domestiques in the peloton.

“The guys at the front are very, very quick. And Frederik Frison is the man. He’s fantastic. Honestly, I don’t see any sun behind him, I don’t even need any suncream or anything.”