In the Tour of the Algarve, it was the penultimate stage: the race of truth or "contre la montre" (against the clock). As expected, it was a showdown of gargantuan proportions. Who would take the leader’s jersey into the final stage?

In a fascinating race, two of the three cyclists I noted yesterday as possible contenders, duelled in the heat of the Portuguese sun: talented Dane Claus-Michael Moller (Milaneza-MSS) and Colombian Victor Hugo Pena, who won the Tour of Murcia in 2002 (US Postal which is presented by Berry Floor). After 10.5 fascinating kilometres, it was Moller who emerged as the victor (no pun intended). Behind him was TT-specialist Pena, who will defend the Tour of Murcia in the shadow of Lance Armstrong, since the parcours are thought to be too hilly for the Colombian. Joining the couple on the podium was David Munoz of Kelme-Costa Blanca. Having broken away earlier on in the race, he lost valuable time and any hopes of doing well overall faded. The young Spaniard, only 23 years old, is a good prospect for the future though. But who was behind him? 1997 and last year’s winner Candido Barbosa! Clearly he’s hungry for the sweet taste of victory, so look out for him tomorrow.

Other notable finishes included 5th for the Australian time trial champ Ben Day, 13th (lucky for some) and 14th for the Postal pair of Michael Barry and George Hincapie (training for the Belgian Classics, it seems) and 20th for Francesco ‘Big House’ Casagrande, seemingly settling in well at Lampre. As expected, the GC reshuffled itself, with Moller now in the lead with Pena 9” back and Barbosa 12”. Still, it’s wide open for tomorrow’s climatic stage with 18 riders within a minute of Moller, other big names such as Jose Luis ‘Chechu’ Ruberia and Angel Edo (who limited his losses admirably). It’s all to play for (or rather, ride for) tomorrow. Milaneza MSS, who have controlled the peloton throughout this race are now faced with the threat of attacks, counter-attacks and counter counter-attacks (if that exists). On the other hand, they’re clearly very strong, with an incredible 5 men in the Top 10 overall. Don’t be surprised if everything changes on tomorrow’s final stage. I couldn’t say who will triumph. We’ll have to wait and see…

STAGE 4 Results – Top 10 (average speed 46.84 km/h)
1st Claus Michael Moller (Milaneza-MSS – DEN) 13m 27s
2nd Victor Hugo Pena (US Postal presented by Berry Floor - COL) 9”
3rd David Munoz (Kelme-Costa Blanca – ESP) 13”
4th Candido Barbosa (LA Pecol – POR) 28”
5th Benjamin Day (Carvalhelhos-Boavista – AUS) 30”
6th David Bernabeu (Milaneza-MSS – ESP) 35”
7th Simone Bertoletti (Lampre – ITA) 37”
8th Bruno Castanheira (LA Pecol – POR) s.t
9th Marco Pinotti (Lampre – ITA) 39”
10th Pedro Cardoso (Milaneza-MSS – POR) 40”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13th Michael Barry 43”
14th George Hincapie 48”
16th Jose Luis Ruberia 51”
20th Francesco Casagrande 54”
36th Angel Edo 1’09”

General Classification after Stage 4
1st Claus Michael Moller (Milaneza-MSS) 13h 11m 51s
2nd Victor Hugo Pena (US Postal Service presented by Berry Floor) 9”
3rd Candido Barbosa (LA Pecol) 12”
4th David Bernabeu (Milaneza-MSS) 36”
5th Michael Barry (US Postal Service presented by Berry Floor) 37”
6th Simone Bertoletti (Lampre) s.t
7th Pedro Cardoso (Milaneza-MSS) 40”
8th Francisco Perez (Milaneza-MSS) 42”
9th Angel Edo (Milaneza-MSS) 46”
10th George Hincapie (US Postal Service presented by Berry Floor) 48”

Points Leader
Angel Edo (Milaneza-MSS)

Mountains Leader
Aitor Silloniz (Euskatel-Euskadi)

Meta Volantes Leader
Oscar Serrano (ASC-Villa Do Conde)

Teams
Milaneza-MSS

Thanks to the two Volta ao Algarve websites for info and photos:
http://volta.no.sapo.pt/
www.edosof.com/algarve03