MedS4_Martin First impressions of Portugal: I like this place! I don’t want to jinx it, but so far, awesome hotels, good weather and nice roads.

Yesterday’s plan for the stage was to set Tyler up for the sprint. We were unlucky not to have someone in the break as we basically covered every move except the right one. So we settled down to a steady pace in the peloton, keeping fluids topped up and enjoying the sun. Unfortunately, on one such trip to the “drink dispenser” (and Johnny the barman), Lucas got his back wheel tagged by a car. He was pretty banged up and hurt his shoulder quite bad, but no broken bones. So hopefully he will recover quickly.

So the finale. There was a category 3 climb with the top 12 km to the line. We were confident that we could get Tyler over the top in good position for the sprint. We went up really hard. It was fast and the group split to pieces. With some help from Tom P and a massive effort over the top from Tom D, Tyler reappeared in the front group where Trent and I had stayed on the climb.

Personally, I totally messed up the finish. I was looking round and hanging near the back of the front group for Tyler. I helped move him up a bit and then we hit the descent to the finish. I let Tyler and Tom go in front but some guy let the wheel go just behind them and I lost time for the GC. It was very fast into the finish. I looked at the PowerTap which said 2.1km in 1 minute 50 seconds. And it was flat!

Well considering his effort on the climb, Tyler got a descent 5th. But of course he was disappointed. Mountain day tomorrow with what’s being billed as the most famous climb in Portugal. Can’t wait to test the legs!