Gilbert claims Algarve opener with late attack

Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) won the opening stage of the Volta ao Algarve with a perfectly-timed attack in the final kilometre. The 28-year-old Belgian finished five seconds clear of the peloton, with Gerald Ciolek (Quick Step) taking the field sprint for second place ahead of Gilbert's teammate André Greipel.

"As we had discussed during the pre-race meeting, Phil attacked on the last short climb with 800 metres to go," said Omega Pharma-Lotto directeur sportif Herman Frison. "Jürgen Roelandts acted perfectly to let the gap grow, and everyone was surprised."

Gilbert's victory put the Belgian in the first leader's jersey and with the time bonuses factored in he leads Ciolek by nine seconds and Greipel by 11 seconds overall. The victory by Gilbert was also his first of the 2011 season, as well as the first win for Omega Pharma-Lotto this year.

A four-rider breakaway, comprised of Arturo Mora Ortiz (Caja Rural), Christian Meier (UnitedHealthcare), Ricardo Mestre (Tavira) and César Fonte (Barbot-Efapel), remained off the front for much of the 157.5km stage. The quartet built up a maximum lead of seven minutes, but splintered in the finale, with Mestre the last to be absorbed at 16km to go.

The teams of the sprinters kept the peloton together in anticipation of a bunch sprint, but Gilbert escaped in the final kilometre to take the victory.

While the breakaway quartet was unable to vie for victory in Albufeira, two members of the escape were rewarded for their efforts: César Fonte (Barbot-Efapel) claimed the sprint classification jersey while Ricardo Mestre (Tavira) leads the mountains classification.

The peloton faces the longest stage of the five-day race tomorrow, covering 186.5km from Lagoa to Lagos.