The Volta ao Algarve is finished. With two stage victories and a sixth place in the general classification for Daniel Martin Quick Step Floors didn’t do too bad this week. “Above all it was a good preparation for what follows in the next couple of weeks.”
“It was nice to win here two stages with the team. In the fourth stage we gave it our all to catch the breakaway and to provoke a new mass sprint for Fernando Gaviria. It was a sprint, but Fernando came too short.”
In the final stage, the team rode for Martin, who had ambitions in the classification. “The stage itself was hard and we made it also hard. Eventually it was a Portugese who won. Anyway, we had fun, good training and a good race.”
“The preparation is now over and I’m going with a good feeling to Belgium for the opening weekend. Saturday I start in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, which is now WorldTour. On Sunday Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne is on the program.”