Mark Downey buries himself on the line to take the final spot on the podium. As a result he wears a classification leader's jersey in stage 2 today, Thursday.
Gabriel Cullaigh wins Volta ao Alentejo stage 1 for Team Wiggins
Mark Downey and Team Wiggins enjoyed a very strong day yesterday on the opening stage of Volta ao Alentejo (2.2).
The opening stage in Portugal - some 173.5km from Vendas Novas to Serpa - saw a large group gain significant time.
Downey was with three team mates in the key split. As a result they rode as hard as they could for time.
In the end they still had the legs to take the stage win; Gabriel Cullaigh sprinting in to win. And Ireland's Downey would take 3rd place.
With Cullaigh in yellow, Downey was due to wear the youth classification leader's jersey on today's 205km second stage.
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The Banbridge CC man, who has just started road racing after his track season, said he felt in great form.
The group of 19 he was in yesterday at the finish gained over nine minutes on a four-man chase group. It contained Downey's team mate Matt Teggart.
Most of the other riders were more than 20 minutes down. It means Team Wiggins is now set up very well for the remaining five stages .
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Top; the three riders who began the move of the front. Above, the large breakaway that formed with Mark Downey and three other team mates in.
A break of three got up the road with one of our guys there initially,” he said. “Then around 60km into the stage one team completely blew it all to pieces.
"I'd missed the split but I was able to get across before the gap really went out. I was a group of 20 to 25 and we just smashed of all day long in the break for over 100km.”
Downey said while fancied ProContinental team Caja Rural had a man in the three man group, it got none of its riders into his larger group.
“The Russians missed it but because we rode so hard they never made it back,” he said of the Lokosphinx.
That squad was marked out as one to watch after one of its riders won the one-day Classica da Arrabida (1.2) in Portugal on Sunday with a 50km solo breakaway.
Dmitry Strakhov claimed victory by attacking a breakaway, which Downey was also in. The Irishman would take 4th place; in his first outing for Team Wiggins.
Team Wiggins rides hard for time
And he said when his team got its chance yesterday to ride for team it went for it.
“We had four in the group at the end and with me and Gabriel we were going for the sprint,” he said of the finish.
“I'd to shut a few gaps down in the final metres which made me run out of steam. But I was very happy to podium here. My legs are very good which is positive.
“To get the first win for the team is great. But for sure I want a win of my own soon. I'm motivated and in a good state of mind, so bring it on.”
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