Volta ao Algarve 2026: Seixas triumphs at Alto da Fóia, Ayuso leader

foto: Cor VosOn the Alto da Fóia, the general classification contenders in the Volta ao Algarve serve up a gripping finale. The still only 19-year-old French prodigy Paul Seixas edges out Juan Ayuso on the line, while João Almeida crosses in third. Thanks to the bonus seconds picked up along the way, Ayuso moves into the overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2nd stage 2026 Volta ao Algarve

1. Paul Seixas (fra) 3:49:50
2. Juan Ayuso (spa) s.t.
3. João Almeida (por) + 0:01
4. Oscar Onley (gbr) + 0:04
5. Matthew Riccitello (usa) + 0:06
6. Daniel Felipe Martínez (col) + 0:22
7. Alessandro Pinarello (ita) + 0:29
8. Yannis Voisard (swi) s.t.
9. Kévin Vauquelin (fra) s.t.
10. Thomas Gloag (gbr) s.t.

GC after stage 2
1. Juan Ayuso (spa)
2. Paul Seixas (fra) s.t.
3. João Almeida (por) + 0:07
4. Oscar Onley (gbr) + 0:14
5. Matthew Riccitello (usa) + 0:16
6. Daniel Felipe Martínez (col) + 0:32
7. Kévin Vauquelin (fra) + 0:39
8. Alessandro Pinarello (ita) s.t.
9. Yannis Voisard (swi) s.t.
10. Thomas Gloag (gbr) + 0:41

Race report
Hugo Nunez, Alexandre Montez, Gorka Sorarrain, Enzo Leijnse, Iker Bonillo, German Nicolás Tivani, Tomas Contte and Leangel Rubén Linarez make up the break of the day. Their maximum advantage reaches around 4 minutes.

In the run-up to the final climb, Sorrorain is the last attacker to be brought back, while Juan Ayuso picks up 1 second in the Golden Kilometre.

Inside the final 4 kilometres, Ayuso makes his move and João Almeida and Paul Seixas go with him. At 1.7 kilometres from the summit, Matthew Riccitello and Oscar Onley claw their way back on.

In the twisting final kilometre, Almeida initially takes the initiative, only to be overhauled by Seixas and Ayuso. The young Frenchman hits the front with authority and never relinquishes it, despite a late surge from Ayuso in the sprint.

Another interesting read: route 2nd stage 2026 Volta ao Algarve.