Minguez climbs to prominence

Miguel Minguez showed some of the best form of his career by taking 12th in Saturday's Volta ao Algarve queen-stage.

There was no denying Sky's Sergio Henao escaping with the stage and the overall lead, but an Euskaltel outfit without its top climbers on show did their best to get in on the act.

Jorge Azanza and Ricardo Mestre both got into the day's main break, hoping to spring a surprise from afar. Despite the presence of many strong climbers in the escape group, among them a certain Arkaitz Durán, it wasn't to stick. Mestre, eager to impress in front of his people, hung in there for a long time, though, only being reeled in inside the last five clicks.

Henao eventually proved the strongest of the overall favourites, holding off home rider Rui Costa of Movistar and Vacansoleil's lanky Dutchman Lieuwe Westra.

Minguez stayed with the likes of Klöden, Martin and Kwiatkowski for the majority of the ascent of the Alto do Malhão, and came in 12th at only 24 seconds. This strong showing results in the Bilbao-native occupying the same place on GC.

On a less positive note, Jon Aberasturi abandoned. The young sprinter has been struggling with a cold for a couple of days, and today decided to throw in the towel.

Results (full results here):

• (1, Sergio Henao (Sky), 4:53:15)
• 12, Miguel Minguez, 0:24
• 52, Jorge Azanza, 2:05
• 63, Egoi Martínez, 2:56
• 72, Ricardo Mestre, 3:19
• 104, Ricardo García, 7:43
• 137, Jure Kocjan, 24:12
• 141, Steffen Radochla, s.t.