Team Radioshack, Stage 3 Volta ao Algarve

Published: February 19, 2010Posted in: News

Surprises at the Finish Line in Volta ao Algarve, Kind Of

Levi Leipheimer

The Volta ao Algarve Stage 3 finish showed strength from Team RadioShack with some surprise characters in the mix. Tiago Machado, who placed 10th in the field sprint yesterday, placed 2od atop the mountain with Levi Leipheimer coming in third. Alberto Contador won 11 seconds ahead of Machado and 22 seconds ahead of Leipheimer. Andreas Kloden also came in 10th 33 seconds back. Sadly, Gert Steegmans crashed early in the stage and had to be taken to hospital. His condition is unknown at this time.

This sets ups for an overall battle Sunday between Leipheimer, Machado and Contador. The 17.5km time trial will decide who will win. Machado is the surprise member in this threesome. He also is a good time trialist and won the Portuguese time trial last year by 1 minute 22 seconds. With Leipheimer, Machado and maybe even Kloden, Team RadioShack has few chances to break Contador’s hold on the lead.

By Thomas Mendonsa, staff writer

See the Volta ao Algarve results here

Nogueira

Posted February 19, 2010 at 6:43 PM

Azevedo has to know and work with Tiago, this is not satisfied for any reason but must learn to manage well their race tomorrow before the time trial on Sunday to say. And the time trial is a copy of which won national championship in 2009

Posted February 19, 2010 at 9:47 PM

I don’t see Radio Shack dislodging AC from the top spot. He was the best guy on Astana (and in the world of pro cycling in 2009) and he’s the best guy now. Second and third is nothing to sneeze at!

ContadorFan

Posted February 19, 2010 at 11:42 PM

Exactly how will Leipheimer or Machado beat Contador in the time trial? Contador is a far superior time trialist to Machado, and is pretty even with Leipheimer, perhaps better.

Posted February 20, 2010 at 1:10 AM

I am just a counter, but who knows Tiago knows that he can lower his head, but not the arms, and good Portuguese way he is a true warrior and will never miss an opportunity like this to be said. Now that one of the most decisive stages of the race I had one is also true. It is also the beginning of a new world in cycling and we wait for him.