Tom Pidcock takes stage and lead on Alto do Malhão at the Volta ao Algarve

Briton outsprints Almeida and Van Wilder on uphill finish to take race lead on the penultimate stage

Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) won his first stage this season, beating João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) and Ilan Van Wilder (Soudal-QuickStep) on a punchy uphill finish at the top of Alto do Malhão.

The climber from Yorkshire attacked on the final slope of the hilliest day of the five-day stage race and with Almeida just behind with Van Wilder five seconds behind.

The fifth stage of the Volta ao Algarve 2023 is a demanding and decisive Lagoa 24.4 km time trial, which is particularly tough and suitable for puncheurs attracted by the short steep slopes.

Pidcock will face stiff competition from time trial specialists Filippo Ganna, Tobias Foss and Stefan Küng, with Ganna only 31 seconds behind on GC.

VIDEO: 2023 Volta ao Algarve Stage 4

2023 Volta ao Algarve Stage 4 Top 10

1  PIDCOCK Thomas INEOS Grenadiers 4:28:39
2  ALMEIDA João UAE Team Emirates 0:01
3  VAN WILDER Ilan Soudal - Quick Step 0:05
4  HIGUITA Sergio BORA - hansgrohe 0:05
5  HINDLEY Jai BORA - hansgrohe 0:10
6  MARTÍNEZ Daniel Felipe INEOS Grenadiers 0:11
7  ONLEY Oscar Team DSM 0:14
8  MOLLEMA Bauke Trek - Segafredo 0:20
9  FOSS Tobias Jumbo-Visma 0:21
10  GANNA Filippo INEOS Grenadiers 0:21

2023 Volta ao Algarve GC after Stage 4

1  PIDCOCK Thomas INEOS Grenadiers 19:30:13
2  VAN WILDER Ilan Soudal - Quick Step 0:05
3  ALMEIDA João UAE Team Emirates 0:07
4  HIGUITA Sergio BORA - hansgrohe 0:17
5  HINDLEY Jai BORA - hansgrohe 0:20
6  COSTA Rui Intermarché - Circus - Wanty 0:22
7  MARTÍNEZ Daniel Felipe INEOS Grenadiers ,,
8  CORT Magnus EF Education-EasyPost 0:27
9  GANNA Filippo INEOS Grenadiers 0:31
10  FOSS Tobias Jumbo-Visma 0:32