Hayter grabs Volta ao Algarve lead with Stage 2 win

Ethan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers) won he second stage of the Volta ao Algarve atop of the Fóia climb, taking the lead of the race, ahead of João Rodrigues (W52-FC Porto)

The stage was overshadowed by the fall of the local favorite Rui Costa (UAE Team Emirates), who had to abandon the race.

With overnight leader Sam Bennett among those to have been distanced on the lumpy finish to the 183km stage from Sagres, Hayter moved into the yellow jersey with the win, on the same time as Rodrigues and Jonathan Lastra.

“My aim today was to limit my losses but to win was really special,” Hayter said. “I owe it to the team, we were in the perfect position and (Ivan) Sosa and Seb (Henao) made the difference for me on the final climb.”

Hayter will now try to defend the leader’s jersey over the remaining three days, with the focus on Saturday’s time trial before the concluding stage to Malhao.

“I’d really like to do a good time trial, that’s actually what I was looking forward to,” he said. “I wanted to limit my losses on the climbs and do a good time trial and see where it left me, so it couldn’t have gone better for me today.”

VIDEO: 2021 Volta ao Algarve Stage 2 Final Km

2021 Volta ao Algarve Stage 2 Top 10

01  Ethan Hayter INEOS Grenadiers 04:48:43
02  Joao Rodrigues W52 - FC Porto - Reconco + 00
03  Jonathan Lastra Caja Rural-Seguros RGA + 00
04  Elie Gesbert Arkéa-Samsic + 03
05  Ivan Sosa INEOS Grenadiers + 09
06  Sebastian Henao INEOS Grenadiers + 20
07  Amaro Antunes W52 - FC Porto - Reconco + 30
08  Odd Christian Eiking Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert + 34
09  Luis Fernandes Radio Popular - Boavista + 35
10  Nicolas Prodhomme AG2R Citroën Team + 35