Adrià Pericas is one of the most promising young riders in the peloton and today he proved why. In one of the toughest stages of the Volta a Portugal Jogos Santa Casa, the UAE Team Emirates XRG rider was the strongest and claimed victory at Vila do Gerês. Pericas conserved some energy on the first category climb of the day, then on the second, he followed the wearer of the yellow jersey of Jogos Santa Casa, Alexis Guérin, and held on through the decisive selection of the day alongside the general classification leader and his teammate Artem Nych, second in the overall standings.

At the finish line, he proved stronger than both rivals and celebrated the most important victory of his career, just two and a half months after turning 20 years old.

"An extremely tough stage, with many attacks from the first climb. I knew it was important not to overdo it. On the first climb I always pedaled at my own pace, without reacting to anything, and on the second I gave everything. I'm extremely happy. It's really special to win a stage that also passes through Spain," the Spanish rider said at the finish line.

THE RACE. A total of 3,188 meters of elevation gain spread over 153 kilometers, another scorching day at the Volta and a relentless pace from start to finish. After several failed early attacks, Fábio Costa, winner of the EBRO award for combativeness on the eighth day of racing, launched himself into a solo breakaway and distanced himself from the rest of the group. The Feira dos Sofás-Boavista rider remained at the front for a long time, crossing the summit of the first category climb at Mata da Albergaria first, a special moment in this edition of the Volta, but never had much freedom of action, having started tenth in the general classification and therefore representing a threat to many teams.

On that first challenging climb, the group began to splinter, although the subsequent descent allowed several riders to make contact again. Anicolor/Campicarn then launched in pursuit and, as soon as the first category climb of Alto de Germil began, increased the pace. Anicolor/Campicarn broke the race apart and only the three strongest survived. Fábio Costa lasted only a few kilometers before Alexis Guérin showed exactly why he wears the yellow jersey of Jogos Santa Casa. The Frenchman attacked from far out and left almost everyone behind.

On a climb of over ten kilometers, characterized by two cobbled sections, Pericas, Nych and, initially, Pedro Silva managed to keep pace before the Portuguese rider succumbed to fatigue. The leading trio remained together until the finish line, with Silva always at a short distance, although the Feira dos Sofás-Boavista rider failed to make up ground. Further back, two distinct groups formed. The first consisted only of Jokin Murguialday (Euskaltel Euskadi) and José Fernandes (GI Group Holding - Simoldes - UDO). The second included several riders, including Tiago Antunes (Efapel Cycling), probably the day's biggest loser after surrendering third place in the general classification. Pericas, Nych and Guérin worked together until the end.

As they approached the finish line, the rider in the yellow jersey even moved to the front to try to encourage his teammate, but it was the young Catalan who raised his arms in celebration, with great emotion. In the general classification, Anicolor/Campicarn continue to dominate, with Guérin leading the race and Nych second, now ahead of Pericas.

"Today we showed we are a strong team. I can trust my teammates 200%. We worked very well to gain time in the general classification and, two kilometers from the finish, I told Artem that I would work for him in the last kilometer. But he had already worked a lot for me too and in the end Pericas won. He's a young rider of great talent and has a bright future ahead of him," Guérin said after the stage.

In addition to moving up the overall podium, Pericas consolidated his advantage in the young riders' classification and will continue to wear the white jersey of Paredes Rota dos Móveis. In the points classification, his teammate Rui Oliveira strengthened his position in the orange jersey of Galp. He claimed the maximum points in the intermediate sprint at Póvoa do Lanhoso and also scored points in the other two sprints of the day, both won by Fábio Costa. In the mountains classification, Guérin now adds the blue jersey of Continente to his yellow jersey.

Tomorrow the eighth stage is scheduled, which will take the group from Melgaço to Fafe: a rolling 166-kilometer course.

STAGE RESULTS

1 Pericas Adria UAE Team Emirates-XRG 14 03:48:32

2 Nych Artem Anicolor / Campicarn Cycling Team 5 + 00

3 Guérin Alexis Anicolor / Campicarn Cycling Team 3 + 00

4 Silva Pedro Feira dos Sofás - Boavista + 28

5 Neves Jose Gi Group Holding - Simoldes - UDO + 02:21

6 Murguialday Jokin Euskaltel-Euskadi + 02:21

7 Domínguez David Feira dos Sofás - Boavista + 03:19

8 Barbas Rafael Tavfer - Ovos Matinados - Mortágua + 03:26

9 Ferreira Louis Anicolor / Campicarn Cycling Team + 03:26

10 Barbosa Diogo Team Tavira / Crédito Agrícola + 03:26

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