We knew Paul Seixas was destined for greatness, but today the very young Decathlon CMA athlete finally made his mark by winning his first career race. The Frenchman won the second stage of the Volta Ao Algarve at the top of the Foia climb after a long head-to-head battle with Juan Ayuso, who had to settle for second place. The Spaniard had exploded the race on the final climb but was beaten in the final sprint. For Italy, Alessandro Pinarello finished seventh at the finish line. Thanks to the time bonuses won in intermediate sprints, Juan Ayuso is the new overall leader.

THE RACE. A dynamic stage with a mountain finish for the second day of racing in Portugal at the Volta ao Algarve. The 147 km from Portimao to Foia were characterized by a relatively simple first part, then 50 km from the finish the group faced the Castelo de Alferce climb (4.3 km at 6.1%) before the final climb towards Casais and the Alto de Foia Monchique with an uphill finish.

The day's breakaway formed a few kilometers after the start and involved 8 riders: Gorka Sorarrain (Caja Rural Seguros), Enzo Leijnse (Anicolor (Campicarn), Iker Bonillo (Feira dos Sofas Boavista), German Nicolas Tivani and Tomas Contte (Aviludo Louletano Loulé), Leangel Ruben Linarez (Tavfer Ovos Matinados Mortagua), Hugo Nunes (Credibom La Aluminos Marcos Car) and Alexandre Montez (Feirense Beeceler). The breakaway riders never managed to gain a significant advantage due to the strong control by Lidl Trek and UAE Team Emirates XRG teams. The last rider to resist at the front was Gorka Sorarrain, caught by the peloton with 15 km to go.

Immediately, the battle for positions began to bring the team leaders into the best position at the start of the final climb. In the first kilometers of the climb, Lidl Trek of Juan Ayuso took the lead, trying to create selection.

At 3.7 km, Ayuso was the first to make a move, thus exploding the race and initially bringing only Paul Seixas and Joao Almeida with him. Only later did Oscar Onley (Ineos Grenadiers) and Matthew Riccitello (Decathlon CMA) rejoin the leading trio. After several attacks and counterattacks, everything was decided in a sprint with an explosive finale favoring the very young Paul Seixas.

Tomorrow, Juan Ayuso will start with the leader's jersey to face the 19.5 km time trial starting and ending in Vilamoura. The course is practically flat and could be an opportunity for the Spaniard to increase his advantage over his rivals.

FINISH ORDER

1 Seixas Paul Decathlon CMA CGM Team 03:49:50

2 Ayuso Juan Lidl-Trek + 00

3 Almeida João UAE Team Emirates-XRG + 00

4 Onley Oscar INEOS Grenadiers + 04

5 Riccitello Matthew Decathlon CMA CGM Team + 06

6 Martinez Daniel Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe + 22

7 Pinarello Alessandro NSN Cycling Team + 29

8 Voisard Yannis Tudor Pro Cycling Team + 29

9 Vauquelin Kévin INEOS Grenadiers + 29

10 Gloag Thomas Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team + 29

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1 Ayuso Juan Lidl - Trek 8:10:44

2 Seixas Paul Decathlon CMA CGM Team ""

3 Almeida João UAE Team Emirates - XRG 0:07

4 Onley Oscar INEOS Grenadiers 0:14

5 Riccitello Matthew Decathlon CMA CGM Team 0:16

6 Martínez Daniel Felipe Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe 0:32

7 Vauquelin Kévin INEOS Grenadiers 0:39

8 Pinarello Alessandro NSN Cycling Team ,,

9 Voisard Yannis Tudor Pro Cycling Team ,,

10 Gloag Thomas Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 0:41