'It's about seeing how strong Paul is' - Ayuso ready to defend yellow from Seixas on final stage in Algarve

In the finale, Ayuso himself was seen right at the pointy end of the peloton and at the head of the train featuring his Lidl-Trek teammates.

The race leader explained how the team had planned to make it to the front at the key moment in the finale, where the road narrowed, as this would reduce the chance of other teams getting in front and increase the likelihood of staying safe.

“It was really stressful until we got to the small road, and yeah, once we got onto the small road, it was quite easy because it was about whoever was in position, and luckily we did our job and we were there,” Ayuso told reporters, including Domestique.

“Then it was about slowing down the bunch to maintain it and make sure nobody could pass in order to stay safe,” added Ayuso.

There had initially been some confusion at the finish with the provisional results displaying a split in the peloton with Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) among those on the wrong side at 0:07, which would have left the Frenchman at 0:14 behind the Spaniard. 

Confirmation from the race organisers came shortly afterwards, following a review confirming that the peloton would receive the same time, and thus, no changes in the battle for the yellow jersey. 

Ayuso was then asked about what he is expecting ahead of the fifth and final stage on Sunday, which finishes atop the Alto do Malhão. Regardless of the gap, he remains alert to the threat still posed by the teenage French star. 

“Yeah I was just told about there being a time gap. I was not aware of it, but yeah, I think it’s still about seeing how strong Paul is,” said a calm and relaxed Ayuso before the organisers confirmed that there was no gap. “He’s still going to try and put me really under pressure, and I hope I can respond.”

Stage 2 saw an aggressive approach from Lidl-Trek with the German team lighting the race up on the lower slopes of the Alto da Fóia, before Ayuso launched a vicious attack which only Seixas could initially follow and hold.

The 23-year-old is well aware that the priority is the general classification, but when asked if he plans to race aggressively on the final stage, he admitted that if the opportunity presents itself to attack and win the stage as well, then he will oblige.

“I mean, I always like to ride aggressively, and sometimes the best defence is an attack,” said Ayuso. “But it is true that it’s also the last day and you know, still being the biggest goal, of course is to win the race and if that is more or less under control, then I would love to go for the stage as well.”

Ayuso's slim advantage of 0:07 over Seixas should lead to a dramatic final stage of the Portuguese stage race, whilst there will be plenty of riders also targeting João Almeida's current position on the third and final step of the podium.