As expected, the third stage of the
Volta ao Algarve finished in a bunch sprint and like on the opening day,
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team's
Fabio Jakobsen took a dominant win in the final sprint.
The breakaway was composed of Rafael Silva (Efapel Cycling), Txomin Juaristi (Euskaltel - Euskadi), Rafael Lourenço (Atum general / Tavira / Maria Nova Hotel), Nicolas Saenz (Tavfer-Mortágua-Ovos Matinados), Helder Gonçalves (Kelly / Simoldes / UDO), Alfonso Eulálio (Glassdrive Q8 Anicolor) and Samuel Caldeira (W52/FC Porto). It wasn't a threatening group despite it's size, it was caught in the final climb of the day where a few other riders attacked.
As Eulálio resisted, he got the company of Fábio Costa (Glassdrive Q8 Anicolor) and Hugo Nunes (Rádio Popular - Paredes - Boavista). The trio was however caught with 11 kilometers to go.
Many leadouts looked to hit the win in the final kilometers, but once again the Belgian team nailed the leadout perfectly, Bert van Lerberghe lead the Dutch sprinter into the final few meters where Jakobsen took the win, having
Tim Merlier as the closest competitor but unable to go besides him, with
Bryan Coquard finishing third in another sprint.