Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Matteo Trentin made an eight man breakaway that stayed away from the peloton from 8km to 135km on Friday, at the queen stage of Volta ao Algarve— Stage 3. Trentin and the other riders established a gap that reached as much as 7 minutes and 30 seconds 72km into the race. The break simply was not meant to last. "After that,the group was in different parts, seven groups," Sports Director Rik Van Slycke said. Tony Martin, last year's winner of Volta ao Algarve, made sure he stayed close to the front when the peloton shattered on a final climb toward the finish line. The pace was high, and as a switchback hit the peloton, the front got out of the saddle and blew up the field. "At the feet of the last climb there was a group of 40 riders. Dries Devenyns, Michal Kwiatkowski, Tony, and Martin Velits were there," Van Slycke said. Richie Porte of Team Sky rode to a solo victory, winning by eight seconds. Tiago Machado (Radioshack Nissan Trek) took second, and Rui Costa (Movistar) was 3rd, also eight seconds back from Porte.
Martin finished 9th, 40 seconds back. He remains in general classification contention, 50 seconds back. The 25.8 km time trial on Sunday will likely be crucial, and Martin, time trial world champion, will be ready to go.