"I need to say a big thanks to Sepp Kuss. He sacrificed for me" - Jan Tratnik secures spot on final podium of Volta ao Algarve

Team Visma | Lease a Bike's Jan Tratnik secured himself a place on the final podium of the Volta ao Algarve on Sunday afternoon. On a thrilling final stage, the Slovenian came home 5th, good enough for him to remain in third overall.

One of the main talking points of the day however, was the long-range solo attack from Tratnik's teammate, Wout van Aert. The Belgian momentarily was the overall leader on the road but was eventually caught on the final climb. "That was nice ha! Why should we just wait?" asks a smiling Tratnik post-stage in conversation with Eurosport. "If you don't try, you don't know and yeah, Wout was amazingly strong. He almost did it."

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"It was actually easier for me too," Tratnik continues. "I could just sit in the bunch whilst the other teams worked to bring Wout back."

In the end, it was Daniel Martinez who took the stage win as Remco Evenepoel secured overall victory of the race. "There was a bit of a headwind so I knew I had to be patient. I didn't want to go to hard to early," Tratnik analyses of the finale. "I need to say a big thanks to Sepp Kuss. He sacrificed for me on the climb and bridged the gap when there was attacks. "

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