Sivakov wins Vuelta a Andalucía, Almeida second in Algarve

A jam-packed week of racing came to an end on Sunday afternoon, with both the Vuelta a Andalucía and Volta ao Algarve coming to their conclusions in Europe. After Tadej Pogačar’s stage and overall victory at the UAE Tour, Pavel Sivakov followed suit in Andalucía, coming home safely on the final stage to take the GC win for UAE Team Emirates-XRG.

The victory marks Sivakov’s first stage race success in UAE Team Emirates-XRG colours, and sees the Frenchman pick up his first win of the season. It is also his first GC victory since the 2022 Vuelta a Burgos.

On the final stage in Spain, the day’s victory went to Jon Barrenetxea (Movistar) from the breakaway, with the peloton crossing the line in unison to pull the curtain down on five entertaining stages. In truth, the battle for the overall victory was played out in the first half of the race, with Sivakov finishing third on stages 1 and 2, propelling himself into the leader’s yellow jersey.

Since taking the race lead, however, the 27-year-old has had to remain attentive and in this regard, Sivakov has been ably supported by his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammates. Also finishing stage 5 within the peloton, Tim Wellens sealed fifth place overall, while Marc Soler ends the race as the best-placed Spanish rider in seventh. In doing so, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG man leaves Andalucía with a special pink jersey for his troubles.

Speaking to the team following the podium ceremony, Sivakov had nothing but praise for Soler, Wellens and their teammates Igor Arrieta, Julius Johansen and Pablo Torres.

Sivakov: “It was a great week of racing. The first two opening days were the hardest days and that is where I managed to take the yellow jersey. After that, I had the best team around me and they really covered me perfectly throughout the final three days. They did an amazing job, especially in moments which could have been dangerous. We never had any trouble because the team was amazing and supported me so well.

“Even today, everybody rode amazingly strong. I was worried that maybe some attacks would fire in the first part of the race, but actually, we were so strong as a group that nobody even tried. I am super super happy to bring this yellow jersey home.”

Vuelta a Andalucía general classification after stage 5

1. Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 19:41:03

2. Clément Berthet (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) +23″

3. Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling) +26″

Over in Portugal, João Almeida produced an excellent time trial performance to take sixth place on the final stage and finish second overall in the general classification. The Portuguese favourite adds a runner-up spot in the Volta ao Algarve to that taken at the Volta a la Comunitat Valencia earlier in the month.

Beginning the day with Jan Christen in the yellow jersey, UAE Team Emirates-XRG produced a series of brave displays on a course which ended with the stiff Alto de Malhão climb. Raced over 19.6km, stage 5 saw Almeida produce the fastest ascent of any rider in the field on the final climb, guiding the UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader to sixth place over the line.

The 26-year-old was only denied a shot at the overall victory by stage and race winner Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), who proved stronger on the flat approach to Malhão.

Not to be derobed of his yellow leader’s jersey without a fight, Christen gave a determined display which saw him take 10th place in the final GC. The stage 2 winner could be proud of his efforts in a week which saw him thrust into the spotlight, as could António Morgado, who takes 11th overall following a strong set of performances. The pair end of the race in second and third in the young rider’s classification, respectively.

Reflecting after the stage, Almeida spoke of his content at the performance.

Almeida: “I wanted to win but I think I did a really good time trial and I am happy with how it went today. Today was slightly better than I expected, to be honest. I don’t think I could have done better than this, Jonas [Vingegaard] was just stronger today.

“It is easy to look back and say I could have done this or that, but in all the moments this week, I felt I did the right thing at the time. It is racing!”

Volta ao Algarve stage 5 results

1. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) 28’25”

2. Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) +11”

3. Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) +14”

6. João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +30″

Volta ao Algarve final general classification after stage 5

1. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) 13:19:30

2. João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +15″

3. Laurens De Plus (Ineos Grenadiers) +24″

10. Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +57″