Fabian Cancellera Wins Volta ao Algarve Time Trial

Last updated : 19 February 2016 By CNS Sport

Fabian Cancellera of Trek Segafredo has won the Volta ao Algarve time trial in Portugal.

A flat course in Sagres was the venue for this 18km time trial which featured a host of national time trial champions including Britain's Alex Dowsett and Germany's Tony Martin.

Russian Victor Manakov of the Gazprom Rusvelo team was the first rider down the ramp and he finished the course in a time of 23 minutes and 27 seconds.

Etixx Quick Step's Yves Lampaert finished in 22.05 before former World Hour Record Mathias Brändle finished in 21.54.

The rider from IAM Cycling was still ahead after the first hour with Johan Le Bon of FDJ in second place with a time of 22.02, just ahead of Sep Vanmarcke on 22.04.

Czech champion Jan Barta (Bora-Argon) finished in 22.19 but in came the British champion Alex Dowsett to set a new time of 21.37.

Dowsett's time looked good but in came Fabian Cancellera of Trek Segafredo in a time of 20.57 with Jonathan Castroviejo (Movistar) setting the second best time.

There had been plenty of money on Tony Martin but the German finished in 21.02, missing the top spot by five seconds.

Geraint Thomas put in a superb ride to finish in 21.25, whilst back down the road, race leader Luis Leon Sanchez crashed and was taken to hospital, meaning that Fabian Cancellera was the stage winner ahead of Tony Martin and Geraint Thomas.

Tony Martin, who has won this race twice before is the new leader.