Geraint Thomas has said that it is always nice to get a win after taking overall victory in the Volta ao Algarve to make it two wins in two years.
Thomas finished fifth on the final stage won by Alberto Contador to take the race after leader Tony Martin had been dropped earlier in the race.
"Once Tony Martin got dropped first time up the climb the stage was all about defending that lead," Thomas told TeamSky.com. "Izagirre was the biggest threat after that and I just didn't get carried away when Contador and Rigo (Uran) attacked. I just followed Izagirre all the way until well into the last kilometre. I had a little dig myself but I kind of knew I had it by then.
"The worst thing that could happen was to follow Contador, blow up and then maybe lose the race overall. It was just about playing it safe and finishing the job off.
"I knew the climb from last year and we do it twice in the race. So I knew the effort it involved and I just didn't want to get carried away and go into the red until necessary. It's been a big team effort and all week the boys have been great and supporting me all the way through.
"It's always nice to be on the podium and get a win.
"I don't get to do it very often so I certainly enjoy that. It's definitely a good confidence booster now going into the last big block of training. I've got a big block of racing then with three big stage races and then three big one-days as well. Hopefully I can take something out of all that."