Fabio Jacobsen (Deceuninck-Quick Step) won the opening stage of the Volta Ao Algarve in Portimao for the second year in a row ahead of Elia Viviani (Cofidis). [Viviani and John Abasturi (Caja Rural Seguro RGA) took the lead, and Jacobsen held on.

"It was pretty hectic, so it wasn't a lead-out by the book," Jacobsen said after the stage. There was one in front of me with 400 meters to go, but sometimes it's better to sprint for a good position in the end." [The team was perfect. They controlled the attack in the difficult 15km to the finish and kept a good position in the final. I am very happy with my conditions and the team's performance."

The 23-year-old had prior knowledge of the finale, having won the first stage in Lagos last year. Of the top 10 finishers in this stage, Jacobsen is one of only two who have run the 2019 edition.

"I think every sprint stage suits me," he joked. 'I know the final because I ran it last year. It's about positioning and leg strength. I like the finish because it's a long straight and there's plenty of room. This time I was more closed in than last year, but luckily I was able to get out of it."

Jacobsen will be looking for a sprint finish on Saturday's final stage to Tavira, where Deceuninck-QuickStep will race for Lemko Evenpoel's GC ambitions, but after the stage, Jacobsen said he wants to win as many of the remaining races as possible. He said he wanted to win as many of the remaining races as possible.

Jacobsen's victory in Lagos made it two wins on the year. Between his win here and his victory in the final stage of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, it was a perfect start to his third professional season.

"Yes, I know. After a good winter, you start hoping to win. It's great to win here again and I'm happy."