Samu 9th in Algarve opener

Samu grabbed a fine 9th place in the opening stage of the Volta ao Algarve today. The stage was expected to come down to a sprint, but confusion and a late surge by Benoît Vaugrenard derailed Euskaltel's, Katusha's, and Columbia's plans. Koldo, JJ, Mikel, Egoi and Gorka all came in with the main pack together with Samu, while Igor and Beñat both came in 48 seconds back. Igor is making a slow start to the season, let's hope he can show us something special when the road tilts upwards.