Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta 2023 – Stage 3
It is time for the second sprint of the race.
The route
A long stage with 2500 climbing meters. Most of the climbing is in the first 80 km, which gives the teams with a sprinter plenty of time to organize a chase.

Some of the riders will know the finish, as they did it back in 2020 and 2021 too. Roundabout with 2.5 km left, another with 1.25 km left (left side around, left turn). The last of the roundabouts with 750 meters to the line (right side only) and the finale corner with 400 meters to the line. It is more technical than stage 1. You would want to aim for the front around quite early, the roundabouts always stretches the group out.

Weather
Wind around 5 m/s and it will not play a big role in the sprit due to buildings, but you should sprint on the left side of the road, having people going into the wind to sprint. Still around 18 degrees C and no rain.
Contenders
Jakobsen – he still has the best sprint train, but the cohesion was not very good. They took the front early, or some of the train did, while Mørkøv wanted to stay further behind due to the headwind. Tomorrow is more straight forward with the headwind. Get the front around the Flamme Rouge, and make sure they have two riders in front of him in the last corner – then he must do it himself.
Kristoff – what a brilliant headwind win. I wrote him off. Started the sprint at the perfect time, and he had a fantastic lead-out from Wærenskjold. Will they switch around? They did it in Saudi Tour. Nonetheless, regardless who sprints from them, a podium is a realistic result.
Meeus – he is very quick but without a proper lead-out man tomorrow makes the job very difficult.
Penhoët – FDJ almost nailed it perfectly on the first stage. They do have good sprint train, which can help their sprinter get the team a good result. He was boxed in on stage 1, something more unlikely tomorrow as the peloton will be stretched out.
Who will win?
Quickstep to get it right this time – a win for Jakobsen.