Volta ao Algarve: Team Sky's Geraint Thomas loses on last Algarve stage

18 February 2018

Geraint Thomas missed out on a third Volta ao Algarve title on the last stage of a race won by Team Sky colleague Michal Kwiatkowski.

Welshman Thomas, who went into the final stage with a 19-second lead, finished second overall.

Pole Kwiatkowski started the stage a place behind Thomas, who won the event in 2015 and 2016.

It was a second Algarve win for Kwiatkowski after his 2014 success.

Thomas told BBC Radio Wales: "It was a good day for the team.

"It's just a shame I didn't get the chance to defend the jersey. That's just the way it goes sometimes.

"I'm taking the positives from it. At least I've been feeling pretty good this week and better than I thought I would, so that's all good."

Elsewhere, Team Sky's Chris Froome finished 10th in the Ruta del Sol - his first race since his adverse drugs test was made public.

Stage 5 result

1 Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol/Team) Sky 04:18:02

2 Ruben Guerreiro (Por/Trek-Segafredo)

3 Serge Pauwels (Bel/Dimension Data)

4 Stefan Kung (Swi/BMC Racing Team)

5 Cesare Benedetti (Ita/Bora-Hansgrohe)

6 Dion Smith (Nzl/Wanty-Groupe Gobert)

7 Simon Geschke (Ger/Team Sunweb)

8 Julen Amezqueta (Spa/Caja Rural Seguros RGS)

9 Ben Swift (GB) (UAE Team Emirates)

10 Frederik Backaert (Bel) Wanty - Groupe Gobert

1 Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol/Team Sky 18:54.11

2 Geraint Thomas (GB/Sky) +01:31

3 Tejay van Garderen (USA/BMC Racing Team) +02:16

4 Bauke Mollema (Ned/Trek-Segafredo) +2:22

5 Bob Jungels (Lux/Quick-Step Floors) +2:33

6 Jaime Roson (Spa/Movistar Team) +2:49

7 Maximillian Schachmann (Ger/Quick-Step Floors) +2:50

8 Serge Pauwels (Bel/Dimension Data) +2:50

9 Felix Grosschartner (Pol/Bora-Hansgrohe) +2:51

10 Nelson Oliveira (Por/Movistar Team) +2:54