2015 Volta ao Algarve

2015 Volta ao Algarve 18–22 February 2015 5 782.9 km 2014 2016 Geraint Thomas yellow GBR SKY 2015 Michał Kwiatkowski POL OPQ 2015 Tiago Machado POR KAT 2015 Geraint Thomas green GBR SKY 2015 Richie Porte blue AUS SKY 2015 Davide Formolo white ITA GRS 2015 KAT 2015 19h 46' 13" Volta_ao_Algarve-2015_poster.jpg 300 The 2015 Volta ao Algarve was the 41st running of the Volta ao Algarve road cycling stage race. It was rated as a 2.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour and took place from 18 to 22 February 2015 in the Algarve region of Portugal. http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Volta_ao_Algarve_em_Bicicleta_2015 Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta 2015 - General Classification 15 February 2015 ProCyclingStats The race consisted of five stages, including one summit finish (at Alto do Malhão) and one Individual time trial. http://voltaaoalgarve.com/etapas/ Etapas 15 February 2015 Voltaaoalgarve.com https://archive.today/20150216080539/http://voltaaoalgarve.com/etapas/ 16 February 2015 dead dmy-all The defending champion was Michał Kwiatkowski of OPQ 2015, who won two stages of the 2014 Volta ao Algarve. The 2015 race was won by Geraint Thomas of SKY 2015. He took the lead with victory in a solo breakaway on stage 2, then defended his lead with third place in the time trial and fourth place on the summit finish. He ended the race 27 seconds ahead of Kwiatkowski, with Tiago Machado (KAT 2015) in third place. Thomas also won the points classification; his teammate Richie Porte won the summit finish and also the mountains classification. In the other classifications, the young riders competition was won by Davide Formolo (GRS 2015), Machado won the Portuguese classification and KAT 2015 yes won the team classification. Race overview Stage Date Route Distance Type Winner 1 18 February Lagos to Albufeira 166.7 km 0 on 22px Hilly stageGianni Meersman BEL 2 19 February Lagoa to Monchique 197.2 km 0 on 22px Hilly stageGeraint Thomas GBR 3 20 February Vila do Bispo to Cabo de São Vicente 19 km 0 on 22px Individual time trialTony Martin GER 4 21 February Tavira to Loulé–Alto do Malhão pt 215.7 km 0 on 22px Hilly stageRichie Porte AUS 5 22 February Almodôvar to Vilamoura 184.3 km 0 on 22px Hilly stage André Greipel GER Stages Stage 1 18 February 2015 — Lagos to Albufeira, 166.7 km 0 on The first stage was a 166.7 km 0 off on route from Lagos to Albufeira, across generally hilly terrain, though it was expected that the race would end in a bunch sprint.Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta 2015 - Stage 1 http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Volta_ao_Algarve_em_Bicicleta_2015_Stage_1_General_Classification-profiles ProCyclingStats 19 February 2015 23 August 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170823024346/http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Volta_ao_Algarve_em_Bicicleta_2015_Stage_1_General_Classification-profiles deadWynn Nigel Geraint Thomas, Ben Swift and Andy Fenn in Tour of the Algarve http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/geraint-thomas-ben-swift-and-andy-fenn-in-tour-of-the-algarve-157977 Cycling Weekly 19 February 2015 18 February 2015 The early break consisted of Mario González (VAT 2015), Joni Brandão (EFG 2015), João Benta (AVL 2015) and Samuel Magalhães (RPB 2015), who earned a lead of almost eight minutes before they were brought back by LTB 2015 and OPQ 2015, seeking to set up their sprinters for the stage win. Brandão was able to gain bonus seconds at both intermediate sprints.Volta ao Algarve: Meersman wins in Albufeira http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/volta-ao-algarve-2015/stage-1/results Cyclingnews.com 19 February 2015 18 February 2015 Gianni Meersman (OPQ 2015 yes) won the sprint ahead of Ben Swift (SKY 2015) and Paul Martens (RAB 2015) and moved into the race lead. Joni Brandão, having finished on the same time as Meersman, was third in the general classification thanks to the bonus seconds he won.Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta 2015 - Stage 1 http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Volta_ao_Algarve_em_Bicicleta_2015_Stage_1_Albufeira ProCyclingStats 19 February 2015 19 February 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150219081732/http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Volta_ao_Algarve_em_Bicicleta_2015_Stage_1_Albufeira dead Stage 1 resulthttp://www.biciciclismo.com/es/para-meersman-la-1a-etapa-en-algarve-18-02-2015 Para Meersman la 1ª etapa en Algarve Spanish The 1st stage in the Algarve for Meersman Biciciclismo Cycling Total comunicación y servicios S.L. 18 February 2015 14 March 2021 1 Gianni Meersman BEL OPQ 2015 4h 13' 53" 2 Ben Swift GBR SKY 2015 + 0" 3 Paul Martens GER TLJ 2015 + 0" 4 Roy Jans BEL WGG 2015 + 0" 5 Zdeněk Štybar CZE OPQ 2015 + 0" 6 Raymond Kreder NED ROO 2015 + 0" 7 Jesús Herrada ESP MOV 2015 + 0" 8 Ramūnas Navardauskas LTU GRS 2015 + 0" 9 Michał Kwiatkowski POL OPQ 2015 + 0" 10 Guillaume Boivin CAN OPT 2015 + 0"General classification after stage 1 1 Gianni Meersman BEL OPQ 2015 4h 13' 43" 20px20px 2 Ben Swift GBR SKY 2015 + 4" 3 Joni Brandão POR EFP 2015 + 5" 20px 4 Paul Martens GER TLJ 2015 + 6" 5 Roy Jans BEL WGG 2015 + 10" 6 Zdeněk Štybar CZE OPQ 2015 + 10" 7 Raymond Kreder NED ROO 2015 + 10" 8 Jesús Herrada ESP MOV 2015 + 10" 9 Ramūnas Navardauskas LTU GRS 2015 + 10" 10 Michał Kwiatkowski POL OPQ 2015 + 10" Stage 2 19 February 2015 — Lagoa to Monchique, 197.2 km 0 on Stage 2 was a mixed stage: the first part saw the riders riding across gentle hills, but the final part of the 197.2 km 0 off on course was much more demanding, with several difficult climbs in the last 70 km 0 off.Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta 2015 - Stage 2 http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Volta_ao_Algarve_em_Bicicleta_2015_Stage_2_Monchique-profiles ProCyclingStats 19 February 2015 The first major breakaway was formed by Marcel Sieberg (LTB 2015), Andreas Schillinger (TNE 2015), Fabricio Ferrari (CJR 2015), Wesley Kreder (ROO 2015) and Ivan Balykin (RVL 2015). They built a lead of more than five minutes, but were caught in the mountainous portion of the race with more than 25 km 0 off remaining on the stage. A second breakaway then attacked, formed of Bakhtiyar Kozhatayev (AST 2015), Jonathan Castroviejo (MOV 2015), Ian Boswell (SKY 2015), Phil Gaimon (OPT 2015) and Alberto Gallego (RPB 2015). This group was caught before the final climb of the race.Volta ao Algarve: Thomas takes solo win in Monchique http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/volta-ao-algarve-2015/stage-2/results Cyclingnews.com 19 February 2015 19 February 2015 The final climb finished 5.4 km 0 off from the end of the stage. Rein Taaramäe (AST 2015 yes) attacked on this climb, before Geraint Thomas (SKY 2015 yes) launched his own attack. Thomas was able to catch and pass Taaramäe, taking a solo victory by 19 seconds ahead of Taaramäe and 23 seconds ahead of the rest of the lead group.Geraint Thomas takes Volta ao Algarve lead by winning stage two http://www1.skysports.com/cycling/news/12040/9721788/geraint-thomas-takes-volta-ao-algarve-lead-by-winning-stage-two Sky Sports 19 February 2015 19 February 2015 With bonus seconds taken into consideration, Thomas now led the general classification by 30 seconds, as well as leading the points and mountains classifications. His teammate Sebastián Henao led the young riders classification.Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta 2015 - Stage 2 http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Volta_ao_Algarve_em_Bicicleta_2015_Stage_2_Monchique ProCyclingStats 19 February 2015 This was Thomas' first win of the season.Miller Andrew Geraint Thomas shows credentials in breakaway win at Volta ao Algarve https://www.thetimes.com/article/geraint-thomas-shows-credentials-in-breakaway-win-at-volta-ao-algarve-mhrgwfrg8j5 The Times 19 February 2015 19 February 2015 Stage 2 resultLarry Hickmott https://www.velouk.net/2015/02/20/volta-ao-algarve-geraint-thomas-solos-to-victory/ Volta ao Algarve – Geraint Thomas Solos to Victory VeloUK LH Publishing 20 February 2015 14 March 2021 1 Geraint Thomas GBR SKY 2015 4h 59' 13" 2 Rein Taaramäe EST AST 2015 + 19" 3 Valerio Agnoli ITA AST 2015 + 23" 4 Luis León Sánchez ESP AST 2015 + 23" 5 Rubén Fernández ESP MOV 2015 + 23" 6 Michał Kwiatkowski POL OPQ 2015 + 23" 7 Zdeněk Štybar CZE OPQ 2015 + 23" 8 Alberto Losada ESP KAT 2015 + 23" 9 Sergey Chernetskiy RUS KAT 2015 + 23" 10 Lars Petter Nordhaug NOR SKY 2015 + 23"General classification after stage 2 1 Geraint Thomas GBR SKY 2015 9h 12' 56" 20px20px20px 2 Rein Taaramäe EST AST 2015 + 30" 3 Zdeněk Štybar CZE OPQ 2015 + 33" 4 Michał Kwiatkowski POL OPQ 2015 + 33" 5 Luis León Sánchez ESP AST 2015 + 33" 6 Rubén Fernández ESP MOV 2015 + 33" 7 Richie Porte AUS SKY 2015 + 33" 8 Sergey Chernetskiy RUS KAT 2015 + 33" 9 Tony Martin GER OPQ 2015 + 33" 10 Tiago Machado POR KAT 2015 + 33" 20px Stage 3 20 February 2015 — Vila do Bispo to Cabo de São Vicente, 19 km 0 on, individual time trial (ITT) Stage 3 was a 19 km 0 off on individual time trial from Vila do Bispo to Cabo de São Vicente. Though there were no significant climbs, the route was hilly throughout. There was additional difficulty caused by a headwind. The pre-stage favourite was former world time trial champion Tony Martin (OPQ 2015), who was wearing the German time trial champion's jersey for the first time in four years.Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta 2015 - Stage 3 (ITT) http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Volta_ao_Algarve_em_Bicicleta_2015_Stage_3_Cabo_de_So_Vicente-profiles ProCyclingStats 20 February 2015Fletcher Patrick Volta ao Algarve: Tony Martin wins time trial http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/volta-ao-algarve-2015/stage-3/results Cyclingnews.com 20 February 2015 20 February 2015 Adriano Malori (MOV 2015), who had won the time trial in the 2015 Tour de San Luis, set an early time of 21' 51". Martin was 10 seconds ahead at the checkpoint halfway along the course, but could not hold this advantage to the finish; he ended up winning the stage by 0.4 seconds from Malori. Geraint Thomas (SKY 2015), riding in the yellow skinsuit of the race leader, was ten seconds ahead of Martin at the checkpoint, but faded over the final kilometres to finish three seconds behind Martin and Malori. Defending champion Michał Kwiatkowski was fourth. Thomas therefore increased his race lead, with Martin and Kwiatkowski in second and third.Wynn Nigel Geraint Thomas increases lead in Tour of the Algarve http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/geraint-thomas-increases-lead-in-tour-of-the-algarve-158825 Cycling Weekly 20 February 2015 20 February 2015 Stage 3 result 1 Tony Martin GER OPQ 2015 21' 51" 2 Adriano Malori ITA MOV 2015 + 0" 3 Geraint Thomas GBR SKY 2015 + 3" 20px 4 Michał Kwiatkowski POL OPQ 2015 + 9" 5 Anton Vorobyev RUS KAT 2015 + 19" 6 Jonathan Castroviejo ESP MOV 2015 + 26" 7 Rein Taaramäe EST AST 2015 + 26" 8 Luis León Sánchez ESP AST 2015 + 32" 9 Sergey Chernetskiy RUS KAT 2015 + 34" 10 Tiago Machado POR KAT 2015 + 37" 20pxGeneral classification after stage 3 1 Geraint Thomas GBR SKY 2015 9h 34' 50" 20px20px20px 2 Tony Martin GER OPQ 2015 + 30" 3 Michał Kwiatkowski POL OPQ 2015 + 39" 4 Rein Taaramäe EST AST 2015 + 53" 5 Luis León Sánchez ESP AST 2015 + 1' 02" 6 Sergey Chernetskiy RUS KAT 2015 + 1' 04" 7 Tiago Machado POR KAT 2015 + 1' 07" 20px 8 Zdeněk Štybar CZE OPQ 2015 + 1' 31" 9 Richie Porte AUS SKY 2015 + 1' 33" 10 Rubén Fernández ESP MOV 2015 + 1' 38" Stage 4 21 February 2015 — Tavira to Loulé–Alto do Malhão pt, 215.7 km 0 on The fourth stage was the queen stage of the race, a 215.7 km 0 off on route from Tavira to the Alto do Malhão pt in Loulé. The first part of the stage was relatively flat, before a difficult final section. This included three difficult climbs in the final 45 km 0 off, before the summit finish.Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta 2015 - Stage 4 http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Volta_ao_Algarve_em_Bicicleta_2015_Stage_4_General_Classification-profiles ProCyclingStats 21 February 2015 The race was controlled throughout by SKY 2015 in defence of Geraint Thomas' yellow jersey. The day's main break was formed by Davide Malacarne (AST 2015), Tony Gallopin (LTB 2015), Adriano Malori (MOV 2015), Maurits Lammertink (ROO 2015), Kamil Gradek (VAT 2015), Filipe Cardoso (EFP 2015) and Beñat Txoperena (MUR 2015). They gained a lead of over four minutes, while another group attacked from behind. This group included Tony Martin OPQ 2015, in second place in the general classification. Both groups were caught before the penultimate climb, when Martin's teammate Zdeněk Štybar, eighth overall, attacked to lead over the climb. Heading into the final climb, however, Thomas was supported by his teammate Richie Porte, whose pace reduced the leading group to nine riders. Porte was then able to attack and take the stage victory. He was three seconds ahead of defending champion Michał Kwiatkowski OPQ 2015 yes and a further three seconds ahead of Ion Izagirre (MOV 2015 yes). Thomas finished fourth on the stage to defend his overall race lead.Volta ao Algarve: Porte wins in Malhão http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/volta-ao-algarve-2015/stage-4/results Cyclingnews.com 21 February 2015 21 February 2015Geraint Thomas retains Volta ao Algarve lead as Richie Porte wins stage four http://www1.skysports.com/cycling/news/12040/9725822/geraint-thomas-retains-volta-ao-algarve-lead-as-richie-porte-wins-stage-four Sky Sports 21 February 2015 21 February 2015 Stage 4 result 1 Richie Porte AUS SKY 2015 5h 55' 34" 2 Michał Kwiatkowski POL OPQ 2015 + 3" 3 Ion Izagirre ESP MOV 2015 + 6" 4 Geraint Thomas GBR SKY 2015 + 9" 20px 5 Michael Woods CAN OPT 2015 + 13" 6 Tiago Machado POR KAT 2015 + 13" 20px 7 Davide Formolo ITA GRS 2015 + 16" 8 Alberto Losada ESP KAT 2015 + 21" 9 Luis León Sánchez ESP AST 2015 + 25" 10 José Mendes POR TNE 2015 + 31"General classification after stage 4 1 Geraint Thomas GBR SKY 2015 15h 30' 33" 20px20px 2 Michał Kwiatkowski POL OPQ 2015 + 27" 3 Tiago Machado POR KAT 2015 + 1' 11" 20px 4 Richie Porte AUS SKY 2015 + 1' 14" 20px 5 Luis León Sánchez ESP AST 2015 + 1' 18" 6 Rein Taaramäe EST AST 2015 + 1' 19" 7 Sergey Chernetskiy RUS KAT 2015 + 1' 32" 8 Alberto Losada ESP KAT 2015 + 1' 55" 9 Rubén Fernández ESP MOV 2015 + 2' 04" 10 Ion Izagirre ESP MOV 2015 + 2' 21" Stage 5 22 February 2015 — Almodôvar to Vilamoura, 184.3 km 0 on thumb|André Greipel, winner of stage 5 The fifth and final stage of the race was a 184.3 km 0 off on route from Almodôvar to Vilamoura. The first half of the stage was fairly hilly, but the final 80 km 0 off were fairly flat.Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta 2015 - Stage 5 http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Volta_ao_Algarve_em_Bicicleta_2015_Stage_5_Vilamoura-profiles ProCyclingStats 24 February 2015 There was an early break of three riders: Paweł Bernas (VAT 2015), Diego Rubio (EFG 2015) and Imanol Estévez (MUR 2015). They were then joined by Heiner Parra (CJR 2015). The group was initially allowed plenty of time by SKY 2015 and were able to climb the day's only categorised climb in the lead, but were caught on the descent. A new break then escaped, made up of Lluís Mas (CJR 2015 yes) and Beñat Txoperena (MUR 2015 yes). They were joined first by Micael Isidoro (AVL 2015), and David de la Fuente (EFG 2015 yes) and then also by Adriano Malori and Jonathan Castroviejo (MOV 2015). They were never allowed a significant lead, with LTB 2015 leading the chase on behalf of André Greipel. Greipel was able to win the stage in the bunch sprint, ahead of Tom Van Asbroeck (BEL 2015) and Raymond Kreder (ROO 2015). Kreder, however, was relegated for improper sprinting and third place on the stage went to Rüdiger Selig (KAT 2015).Volta ao Algarve: Greipel wins final stage http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/volta-ao-algarve-2015/stage-5/results Cyclingnews.com 24 February 2015 22 February 2015Windsor Richard Geraint Thomas wins 2015 Volta ao Algarve; André Greipel gets final stage victory http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/geraint-thomas-wins-2015-volta-ao-algarve-andre-greipel-gets-final-stage-victory-159173 Cycling Weekly 24 February 2015 22 February 2015Grandi Stefano Giro Algarve: Tappa a Greipel, corsa a Thomas http://www.sportevai.it/altri-sport/giro-algarve-tappa-a-greipel-corsa-a-thomas/ 24 February 2015 Italian 22 February 2015 None of the classifications changed hands in the final stage, so Geraint Thomas won the overall victory in the race.Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta 2015 - General Classification http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Volta_ao_Algarve_em_Bicicleta_2015 ProCyclingStats 24 February 2015 Stage 5 resultLarry Hickmott https://www.velouk.net/2015/02/22/volta-algarve-greipels-stage-but-thomas-wins-gc/ Volta Algarve – Greipel's stage but Thomas wins GC VeloUK LH Publishing 22 February 2015 14 March 2021 1 André Greipel GER LTS 2015 4h 15' 40" 2 Tom Van Asbroeck BEL TLJ 2015 + 0" 3 Rüdiger Selig GER KAT 2015 + 0" 4 Gianni Meersman BEL OPQ 2015 + 0" 5 Phil Bauhaus GER TNE 2015 + 0" 6 Roy Jans BEL WGG 2015 + 0" 7 Jürgen Roelandts BEL LTS 2015 + 0" 8 Alexander Porsev RUS KAT 2015 + 0" 9 Ben Swift GBR SKY 2015 + 0" 10 Filipe Cardoso POR EFP 2015 + 0"Final general classification 1 Geraint Thomas GBR SKY 2015 19h 46' 13" 20px20px 2 Michał Kwiatkowski POL OPQ 2015 + 27" 3 Tiago Machado POR KAT 2015 + 1' 11" 20px 4 Richie Porte AUS SKY 2015 + 1' 14" 20px 5 Luis León Sánchez ESP AST 2015 + 1' 18" 6 Rein Taaramäe EST AST 2015 + 1' 19" 7 Sergey Chernetskiy RUS KAT 2015 + 1' 32" 8 Alberto Losada ESP KAT 2015 + 1' 55" 9 Rubén Fernández ESP MOV 2015 + 2' 04" 10 Ion Izagirre ESP MOV 2015 + 2' 21" Classification leadership table In the 2015 Volta ao Algarve, five different jerseys were awarded. For the general classification, calculated by adding each cyclist's finishing times on each stage, and allowing time bonuses for the first three finishers at intermediate sprints and at the finish of mass-start stages, the leader received a yellow jersey. This classification was considered the most important of the 2015 Volta ao Algarve, and the winner of the classification was considered the winner of the race. Additionally, there was a points classification, which awarded a green jersey. In the points classification, cyclists received points for finishing in the top 10 in a mass-start stage. For winning a stage, a rider earned 25 points, with 20 for second, 16 for third, 13 for fourth, 10 for fifth, 8 for sixth, 6 for seventh, 4 for eighth, 2 for ninth and 1 for tenth place. Points towards the classification could also be accrued at intermediate sprint points during each stage; these intermediate sprints also offered bonus seconds towards the general classification. There was also a mountains classification, the leadership of which was marked by a blue jersey. In the mountains classification, points were won by reaching the top of a climb before other cyclists, with more points available for the higher-categorised climbs. The fourth jersey represented the young rider classification, marked by a white jersey. This was decided in the same way as the general classification, but only riders born after 1 January 1992 were eligible to be ranked in the classification. The fifth jersey represented the Portuguese rider classification, marked by an orange jersey. This was calculated in the same manner as the general classification, calculated by adding each Portuguese cyclist's finishing times on each stage. There was also a classification for teams, in which the times of the best three cyclists per team on each stage were added together; the leading team at the end of the race was the team with the lowest total time. Stage WinnerGeneral classification25px|link=|alt=Mountains classification25px|link=|alt=Young rider classification25px|link=|alt=Points classification25px|link=|alt=Portuguese classification25px|link=|alt=Teams classification 1 Gianni Meersman Gianni Meersman Mario González Davide Formolo Gianni Meersman Joni Brandão OPQ 2015 2 Geraint Thomas Geraint Thomas Geraint Thomas Sebastián Henao Geraint Thomas Tiago Machado SKY 2015 3 Tony Martin OPQ 2015 4 Richie Porte Richie Porte Davide Formolo KAT 2015 5 André Greipel Final Geraint Thomas Richie Porte Davide Formolo Geraint Thomas Tiago Machado KAT 2015 References External links Volta ao Algarve Category:Volta ao Algarve Volta ao Algarve Category:February 2015 sports events in Portugal