Crazy scenes at the 2025 Volta ao Algarve as Filippo Ganna takes stage win while half the peloton get lost!

In what was expected to be a bunch sprint finale, Filippo Ganna has powered to the win on the opening stage of the 2025 Volta ao Algarve, crossing the line first in a bizarre finale that saw half the peloton go the wrong way before the line!

Eight riders forced themselves up the road to form the day's breakaway, including 6 local Portuguese riders. The peloton had things relatively comfortably in control throughout though, keeping the lead group on a manageable leash. At around 47km to go, Carlos Miguel Salgueiro of APHotels & Resorts / Tavira / SC Farense, decided he'd had enough of his breakaway companions, attacking solo at the head of the race. As Salgueiro began to tire, he was finally swallowed up by the peloton at 24km to go. 

Heading towards the finale, two-time Volta ao Algarve winner Geraint Thomas was on the front of the peloton for the INEOS Grenadiers, setting a slightly more relaxed pace than may have been expected. Inside the final 5km though, the pace was really ramped up once again as the sprint teams flicked the switch and started to fight for position. When the sprints opened, a there was a crazy finale as half the peloton went the wrong way. Filippo Ganna had his head screwed on though, taking victory in a very bizarre finale.