Volta ao Algarve 2022 - Fabio Jakobsen sprints to Stage One victory after supreme Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl performance

Updated 16/02/2022 at 20:24 GMT

Led by an immensely powerful turn from Remco Evenepoel, Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl produced a reminder of the prowess of their sprint leadout, first splitting a reduced group and then setting up sprinter Fabio Jakobsen for a cruise to the line. The opening stage of the Portuguese race had seen several riders crash.

'Here he goes!' - Jakobsen wins first stage of Volta ao Algarve in style

Fabio Jakobsen sprinted to Stage One victory at the Volta ao Algarve after a display of supreme dominance from his Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl team.

The Dutch rider was largely untroubled in powering over the final metres, able to sit up and celebrate before the finish line in Lagos.

The lead group, reduced due to a couple of reasonably sizeable crashes earlier, was splintered further by a powerful turn from Remco Evenepoel to tee up the rest of Jakobsen's lead-out train.

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And the Dutchman continued his outstanding early-season form with a comfortable win, completing a hat-trick of victories into Lagos having also won into the coastal town in 2019 and 2020.

Volta at Algarve Stage 1 Highlights - Jakobsen takes the win

"It was perfect. We controlled the race all day," Jakobsen said after taking the leader's jersey in Portugal. "I have to thank my teammates - a sprinter cannot win without them and this is their victory.

"I know this finish quite well. We do our training camp here and I have won here before.

"Big thanks to Remco - he is here for the general classification but he does his job in the leadout. [It was an] amazing day."

Bora-Hansgrohe's Jordi Meeus followed Jakobsen home but was relegated for changing his line in his sprint; Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) was thus awarded second, with Alexander Kristoff (Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert Materiaux) third.

Jakobsen won twice at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana earlier in February ahead of a season that may see him head to the Tour de France as Quick-Step's lead sprinter.

Evenepoel is the favourite for overall victory across the five stages of the Algarve, with the Belgian looking to repeat his outstanding 2020 triumph.

The Belgian hustled home in eighth place behind winner Jakobsen, though most of the other favourites were also safely nestled in the top-25.

Ethan Hayter, who won two stages and finished second overall in last year's race, leads an Ineos Grenadiers team that also contains Tom Pidcock and Geraint Thomas.

Stage Two brings the first hill-top finish in Monchique, with the riders taking on a final ascent of Mount Foia.

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