British Cyclist Steve Cummings won his biggest stage of his professional career when he was first home in the third stage of the Tour Of Algarve, today.
On a stage which saw five climbs, Cummings got into a group which ho attacked on the Alto do Malhão and then seized the moment to sprint to the lead ahead of HTC Highroad's Tejay Van Garderen and Alberto Contador and not only win the race but took control of the leaders jersey.
"They helped me all day; we stayed together out of the wind and the guys were working so hard, going backwards to get drinks and it made a real difference," Cummings said to the Team Sky Press Office.
"There's been a group of us who have come here from the Tour of the Med and we've really bonded and worked well together. You learn about each other and become more of a unit the more you race together."
That was very much in evidence in the closing stages, with Cummings adding: "The team brought me to the front at the bottom of the last climb - you had to be in a good position there and I was perfectly placed in about fifth.
"It had been a hard stage - a bit longer than advertised at around 190km and up and down all day - but at the Tour of the Med I made an attack and found my limits which was a big help today. I just set my own rhythm and knew that I could finish the climb strongly if I just held back a bit.
"With around 800 metres to go I could see Contador and the leaders in front and I just went across to them, waited on the back and then went again with 200 metres to go. I'm not sure what I did when I crossed the line - just threw a hand up in the air I think!"
When asked how it ranked in his career so far, he said: "It's probably my best victory. When I won Coppa Bernocchi you could say it was a bigger race but if you look at a few of the riders I beat today and how I beat them then I think this is a bit different."
The focus now is on defending the race lead but Cummings was quick to stress: "It's all about taking it one day at a time. We'll just concentrate on tomorrow and try and keep the jersey."
Picture copyright of Covsupport News Service. Credit CNS/KM