Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) finished the 2026 Volta ao Algarve without a stage victory after tactical disruptions cost him in both of the race's bunch sprints, placing fourth in Stage 1 and tenth in Stage 4.
Frederik Willems, an Alpecin-Premier Tech sport director, said the results did not reflect the team's condition ahead of the Belgian Opening Weekend.
"The sprints were certainly not below expectations," Willems said to Belgian outlet Wielerflits. "Two small details went wrong in the sprints, which meant it didn't turn out as it should have. But these are details that, with this peloton, could have turned out completely differently."
In the Stage 1 finish in Tavira on February 18, Alpecin-Premier Tech controlled the race from distance, accelerating with 32 kilometres remaining to ensure a bunch sprint. Lead-out man Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Premier Tech) launched his acceleration as planned, but Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Intermarché) slotted between Groves and Philipsen inside the final kilometre, breaking the train at a critical moment.
"He came out well, but hadn't seen that Jasper was no longer on his wheel," Willems said of Groves. "If Jasper had been on Kaden's wheel there, he wins the first stage immediately."
Paul Magnier (Soudal-Quick-Step) won the stage. Magnier said Philipsen "took a bit of time to launch," allowing the Frenchman to seize the initiative.
Stage 4 in Lagos on February 21 followed a similar pattern. A rival rider again entered the Alpecin lead-out at a key moment, forcing Philipsen into a premature sprint effort. He finished tenth, telling the team afterwards that he had no legs left after the early acceleration.
Training over trophies
Willems said the team had used the Volta ao Algarve as a high-volume training block, with riders completing additional training after stages. He urged observers not to draw conclusions about Philipsen's form.
"The condition is how it should be," Willems said, adding that preparation for the Opening Weekend had gone as planned.
Philipsen finished the race tenth in the points classification with 14 points, well behind winner Magnier on 53.
Cover image credit: Thomas Maheux
