Volta ao Algarve May 5-9 2021

[tobydawq]

Okay, but who is Iúri Leitão?

Iúri Leitão (procyclingstats.com)

A young Portuguese rider who has been top 10 in two thirds of all his pro races.

 

[carolina]

He does mostly track. He's the european champion on the scratch race.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Or it's bragging. "Look at me, I'm so good that even when I feel bad I can squish you with my left leg, you puny other cyclists."

Part of it is cultural. Going around bragging you are the best in the world and that it’s easy is the kind of attitude that would get you a reputation as a bit of a brash *** in Ireland. Part of it is his personality. He seems to motivate himself more by seeing himself as an underdog. And sometimes it’s just accurate - I’m sure he’s genuinely surprised to be coming off a month on the couch and winning by three bike lengths.

 

[tobydawq]

I agree he doesn't sound particularly braggish, it just bugs me that he keeps telling the same tale race after every race he wins. But most things about him bug me after he had the audacity to take the green jersey off Sagan.

 

[Leinster]

It might also have something to do with him being out of contract next year and not wanting to be screwed over if Bennett goes to another team and doesn't take him with him, like he experienced with Kristoff in 2017. He shouldn't be in any kind of trouble this time though, but it may be his last (big) contract, so it's understandable if he wants it to be as lucrative as possible.

I think Bennett, Morkov and Quickstep would all be utterly mad to part ways next season. Even if Morkov is getting on, and Bennett won’t be a spring chicken next year either, they show no signs of slowing down right now.

Also, I don’t think Morkov needs to worry about Sam’s loyalty. He’s the reason Shane Archbold has a pro contract.

Edit to add re Sam’s interviews; it’s probably easier to act/sound humble when you’re the 2nd best cyclist in your own village.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

A young Portuguese rider who has been top 10 in two thirds of all his pro races.

He should have retired thursday morning.

 

[RedheadDane]

I keep getting confused by the starting times... Portugal is an hour behind Denmark.

 

[johnymax]

To continue the day in true Giro fashion, it'll be between Leonardo Basso and Diego Rosa.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I keep getting confused by the starting times... Portugal is an hour behind Denmark.

It's not really news. I was however a little bit confused by Rwanda currently having the same time as Denmark.

 

[RedheadDane]

It's not really news. I was however a little bit confused by Rwanda currently having the same time as Denmark.

What?

I was looking at the start times on PCS, and couldn't understand why riders I thought should have already started hadn't started.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Can Rafael Reis to the occasion? The answer is yes!

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Current standings at the second time split:

Km 13,6

Rafael Reis (Efapel), 16m47s
Benjamin Thomas (Groupama-FDJ), 16m52s
Nils Politt (Bora-hansgrohe), 17m05s
Ivo Oliveira (UAE Team Emirates), 17m12s
Ryan Gibbons (UAE), 17m32s
Diego López (Equipo Kern Pharma), 17m33s
Alexys Brunel (Groupama-FDJ), 17m37s
Matis Louvel (Team Arkéa-Samsic), 17m40s
Ricardo Mestre (W52-FC Porto), 17m47s
Clément Davy (Groupama-FDJ), 17m51s
Lennard Kämna (Bora-hansgrohe), 17m52s

 

[WKA311]

Guernalec would a cool winner today. He's been strong for a while now and is still a bit under the radar.

 

[RedheadDane]

Asgreen somewhat behind at the time-check. And that rider he overtook looked like a midget...

 

[sir fly]

Asgreen somewhat behind at the time-check. And that rider he overtook looked like a midget...

A dwarf?

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Asgreen is behind both Reis and Thomas now.

 

[Bonimenier]

Is it the exact same course as the last couple of years? If that's the case the top 2 have both broken the course record.

 

[SafeBet]

Is it the exact same course as the last couple of years? If that's the case the top 2 have both broken the course record.

It looks like.
Reis was 12 seconds faster than Remco last year...

 

[Bonimenier]

It looks like.
Reis was 12 seconds faster than Remco last year...

I guess the wind conditions must be favourable this year.

 

[RedheadDane]

New best time.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

What a finish by Asgreen! He gained 14 seconds on Reis from the last check point.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Reis was a top talent in the junior and u23 ranks, kinda surprising that he never really made it outside of Portugal

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Bear in mind that this race usually takes place in February. Quite a few riders will simply be in better form when they get here than they usually are as they're a good way into their seasons.

 

[SafeBet]

Bear in mind that this race usually takes place in February. Quite a few riders will simply be in better form when they get here than they usually are as they're a good way into their seasons.

Reis is still a WTF performance considering he had 2 race days before Algarve started.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I make Hayter 20" ahead of Rodrigues at the top of the climb.
...nasty crash for him on the way down though.