Ryan Mullen 6th in Volta ao Algarve bunch sprint | Sticky Bottle

*Cees Bol wins for Team Sunweb as Ryan Mullen, with his head down, sprints in just behind the top five in the bunch sprint that decided today's stage 3 at Volta ao Algarve*

Ryan Mullen may have gotten most of his results riding against the watch, but when his team mates crashed at Volta ao Algarve today we got to see what the Irish powerhouse can do in a sprint.

The Trek-Segafredo rider took a very strong 6th place in the bunch finish, one place ahead of one of pro cycling's fastest men Elia Viviani (Cofidis).

It was a great ride by Mullen who is not only adept at handling himself in a fast finale but had the legs to get close to the best today.

And but for starting the gallop a little bit further back than those who filled the top five on the stage, Mullen would have done even better.

Cees Bol sees off Fabio Jakobsen and Sacha Modolo to win Stage 3 of the Volta ao Algarve in a thrilling finale! pic.twitter.com/1ideCTGQCI

— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) February 21, 2020

Mullen was left to his own devices when three of his team mates crashed together at a roundabout with about 20km remaining on today's stage 3; some 201.9km from Faro to Tavira.

Edward Theuns, Koen de Kort and Jasper Stuven all came down very hard in among a small group of riders who fell when one of them hit some road furniture at a roundabout.

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Mullen then stepped up and nailed a solid result, which would have gone close to being a top three but for being a little far back just as the gallop kicked off; Cees Bol (Team Sunweb) winning.

It was a good sign for him ahead of Sunday's 20.3km flat and technical TT; a stage he was 4th on last year and is a potential winner of this time around.

*Ryan Mullen looking relaxed while descending during the stage*

*Remco Evenepoel retains yellow ahead of an important weekend of racing featuring two stages he could win to add to his victory on Thursday's uphill stage 2 finish*

Dan Martin (Israel Start-Up Nation) also finished in the bunch today and he is 3rd overall just two seconds behind yesterday's winner and runner-up; race leader Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck-QuickStep) and Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe).

Tomorrow's stage 4 takes the riders 169.7km from Albufeira to Malhão; an undulating route with there cat 3 climbs and one cat 2 before the final ascent to the finish line; some 2.5km at 9.4 per cent.

It is a climb that may suit Martin very well, though Evenepoel looks in great form. Dan Martin has said he is hoping for a stage win tomorrow as the final stage TT on Sunday may prove a challenge for him.

His TT bike was delivered late due to the coronavirus meaning he has not ridden it properly yet.

That problem, coupled with the pan flat TT course on Sunday, means he is certain to lose time to European TT champion Evenepoel in the race against the clock which may see him really attack tomorrow's final climb.