Results Volta ao Algarve 2026 Stage 3 | Filippo Ganna proves TT prowess as Juan Ayuso gains big on Joao Almeida

Filippo Ganna claimed victory on Stage 3 of the Volta ao Algarve, but it was Juan Ayuso who delivered the decisive blow in the battle for the yellow jersey on the 19.5-kilometre individual time trial in Vilamoura.

Ganna stopped the clock in 21 minutes 53.663 seconds, averaging 53.5 km per hour to secure the stage win. The Italian’s benchmark proved just beyond reach for the rest of the field, but Ayuso came closest, finishing only 5.686 seconds slower in a ride that reshaped the general classification.

Ayuso had been fastest at the intermediate checkpoint and carried that pace through the second half of the course to take second on the stage. Crucially, he finished 7.025 seconds ahead of Paul Seixas, with whom he had started the day level on time.

That margin now gives the Spaniard sole possession of the overall lead.

Seixas produced a strong ride to finish fourth on the stage, just 12.7 seconds behind Ganna, but it was not enough to match Ayuso’s consistency across the flat course.

Joao Almeida, who began the day seven seconds off the lead, conceded significant time. His finishing time of 22:36.428 left him more than 30 seconds behind Ayuso on the stage, effectively removing him from immediate contention for the yellow jersey.

Jakob Soderqvist completed the podium for the day in third place, while Thymen Arensman rounded out the provisional top five.

Ganna secured the stage victory as expected, but the time trial ultimately belonged to Ayuso. By limiting his loss to the specialist and outperforming his closest rivals, the race leader transformed a narrow deadlock into a tangible advantage heading into the final stages of the race.