Lampre Merida’s Modolo Wins Opener in Algarve

AFP

Italian rider Sacho Modolo of the Lampre-Merida team won the opening stage of
the Tour of the Algarve on Wednesday in a sprint finish, beating his Portuguese
teammate Rui Costa on the line.

Modolo beat the world champion Costa on the line in Albufeira to lead by a
second overall from Cesar Fonte, with Costa four seconds off the pace.
Meanwhile, in his first race of the season, Spain’s Alberto Contador,
riding for Tinkoff-Saxo, finished in the lead group and sits 10 seconds off
the pace set by Modolo.

After the 160km-trip from Faro to Albufeira, Modolo dedicated the win “to
the whole team, but also to Kristoff Goddaert”, in reference to the Belgian
rider who died while training on Tuesday.Thursday’s second stage will be a
196-km ride from Lagoa to Monchique, with the five-stage race concluding on
Sunday.