Alexis Guérin is the winner of the 87th Volta a Portugal Jogos Santa Casa, which concluded today in Porto. The 34-year-old French rider proved to be the strongest over the 11 days of racing and secured the Yellow Jersey with an advantage of 1 minute and 2 seconds over his teammate Artem Nych. Pedro Silva (Feira dos Sofás-Boavista) completed the podium.

Anicolor/Campicarn has therefore secured the third consecutive victory at the Volta a Portugal Jogos Santa Casa, following Nych's triumphs in the two previous editions.

Rui Oliveira triumphs at home

Guérin was not the only rider celebrating. Racing on home roads, Rui Oliveira was the fastest in the thrilling finale on Avenida dos Aliados and claimed his long-awaited first professional road victory. The UAE Team Emirates XRG rider was among the most active cyclists in the final week and a half. He came close to victory on several occasions, but it was in Porto, in front of his home crowd, that he finally managed to raise his arms in celebration, securing the Galp Orange Jersey in the best possible way.

"I still can't believe it. The final circuit was extremely tough, but my entire team supported me. There was no better way to achieve my first professional victory. Winning at home, in Porto, in Gaia... I have no words. Of course, I dedicate this victory to Finlay Tarling's family. It has been a very difficult day for everyone. Congratulations to all the riders who fought over these last two days", he said after the stage.

A breakaway to enliven the Aliados finish

The tenth and final stage of the Volta a Portugal started from Maia in the early afternoon, with approximately 96 kilometers in a straight line before entering the circuit connecting Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. Avenida dos Aliados once again hosted the race finish: it was the tenth time that Porto has welcomed the decisive final stage of the Volta and the first time since 2019. It was in that initial stretch of the stage, between the start in Maia and the entry into the final circuit, that a breakaway of five riders animated the race: Adam Lewis (APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery), César Martingil (Tavfer-Ovos Matinados-Mortágua), Viacheslav Ivanov (Feirense-Beeceler), Gaspar Gonçalves (GI Group Holding-Simoldes-UDO), winner of the EBRO award for combativity, and Eduardo Perez Landaluce (Óbidos Cycling Team).

The quintet worked well together for a long period, but as the finish line approached, the group increased the pace. About two laps from the finish, the breakaway was finally caught. Diogo Narciso (Credibom/LA Alumínios/Marcos Car) then launched an attack in the final, without success. From that moment on, the race was dominated by the favorites for victory on Avenida dos Aliados, where Rui Oliveira proved to be the strongest.

Guérin makes history in the Grandíssima

Guérin crossed the finish line in eighth place and secured the Yellow Jersey once and for all. In 87 editions of the race, this is the first time a French rider has won the Volta a Portugal. He also claims the Continente Blue Jersey as the best climber."It's a dream come true. I still can't believe it, it's incredible. It was the team's objective, it was my objective. I'm very happy", he admitted. In the final standings, and despite another puncture at a crucial moment in the race, a situation already experienced the previous day during the ninth stage, Adrià Pericas demonstrated the talent for which he is so appreciated, securing the White Jersey as best young rider of the Rota dos Móveis de Paredes.

Between Alexis Guérin's historic triumph and Rui Oliveira's thrilling victory on Avenida dos Aliados, another edition of the Grandíssima has concluded, which will forever be remembered not only for its sporting successes, but also for the memory of Finlay Tarling.

STAGE RESULTS

1 Oliveira Rui UAE Team Emirates - XRG

2 Cavia Daniel Burgos Burpellet BH

3 Campos Francisco Team Tavira / Crédito Agrícola

4 van der Tuuk Axel Euskaltel - Euskadi

5 López Jordi Euskaltel - Euskadi

6 Nych Artem Anicolor / Campicarn

7 Antunes Tiago Efapel Cycling

8 Guerin Alexis Anicolor / Campicarn

9 Contte Tomas Feira dos Sofás - Boavista

10 Domínguez David Aviludo - Louletano - Loulé