"If we keep this pace it will be perfect": Magnus Cort Nielsen considers that race conditions helped him taking the win in Stage 2 of Volta ao Algarve

Magnus Cort Nielsen achieved a surprising victory in Alto da Fóia, the Danish rider from EF Education-EasyPost is known for his explosive uphill sprint power, but in short climbs not a 7.7 km long climb like Alto da Fóia. Even he had some doubts but the less steep percentages and the way it was ridden helped him win.

"When I was still at home, I was already thinking about this stage, I had some doubts whether I could handle this long climb, but the team leaders said I had to try today. And indeed, you just have to try. I have won uphill before, but that was always from the breakaway. I have never done it against the classification riders.", said Cort in the post race interview.

INEOS-Grenadiers controlled the climb setting a pace difficult for riders to attack but at the same time not that hard for riders like Magnus Cort Nielsen to endure. That and also the headwinds made the conditions ideal for a rider that has a explosive sprint power like Magnus Cort to win.

"We were getting closer and closer to the finish: another five kilometres, another four… I thought: if we keep this pace, it will be perfect. It was headwind, so I was maybe a bit too scared to be in the wind too early. I had some problems finding a gap. But luckily I passed just in time in the last five metres probably and was able to pick up the win.", Cort concluded.