The Alto da Fóia this afternoon at the Volta ao Algarve will be a key moment in the race. The climbers will go head to head in a tough finale, and Soudal - Quick-Step is aware that all teams will be looking towards the actions of Remco Evenepoel.
“Depending on how early they go, the size of the group that will arrive at the foot of the Fóia will vary from five to ten to a maximum of 25 riders. Only the climbers will be left," Soudal - Quick-Step DS Iljo Keisse says ahead of the important day. "The run-up is so difficult, narrow and steep with technical descents that they never reach the foot with thirty people."
The hilly approach to the final climb can definitely do some damage, whilst the final climb itself can do more. Usually it ends in a sprint, with it's relatively shallow gradients and exposure to wind making it hard for attacks to succeed. Evenepoel. The Belgian has won here in 2020 whilst he finished in the front group. He knows how to race this finale.
He recently showed strong form at the Figueira Champions Classic with a solo victory and comes into the Algarve as the man to beat. Fóia shouldn't create the same kinds of gaps that will be created in the time-trial, but Evenepoel is aware that there are other strong climbers in the bunch today that are capable of making the difference.
“It's the most important stage of the week. The run-up is tough. The final will be hard and they predict rain. So it will be hectic again," Keisse warns. "I think a lot of teams will look at us. We have no other option than to take responsibility and we will do that."
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