The traditional finish on top of the Alto do Malhão (2.6 km at 9.5%) would cause the final changes in the classification of the Tour of Algarve (2.Pro, 15-20/02) during this fifth and last stage.
With Sven Erik Bystrøm in the top ten of the provisional classification at the start in Lagoa, Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert first participated in the battle for the early breakaway. After more than 70 kilometer, during which among others Aimé De Gendt was active, it was a group of twenty riders which managed to distance the peloton.
German rider Georg Zimmermann, eighteenth in the provisional classification, was the best placed rider in this leading group. Thanks to his efforts, the breakaway stayed in front of the peloton until the top of the first of two passages on the Alto do Malhão with 25 kilometer to go, after which they were caught by a group of GC favorites.
Thanks to the work of Aimé De Gendt and Loïc Vliegen, Bystrøm made the junction to this group with the yellow jersey and started the final climb in a peloton of around twenty riders. The Norwegian rider finished ninth at the top and ninth in the final classification. Zimmermann concluded the five day race in eighteenth place.
« Sven Erik Bystrøm and Georg Zimmermann brilliantly concluded our week in the Algarve, during which I observed several positive signs. The sprint train showed that it is on the good way, like a well oiled machine, enabling Alexander Kristoff to approach the victory on the first day. I was also happy to see that Adrien Petit is gaining confidence in his role as a team captain. The crash of Andrea Pasqualon in the second stage was regrettable, but with the Flemish classics just around the corner we preferred to not take any risks and send him home to recover. I also want to emphasize our progress in time trials, just like Sven Erik has shown on the fourth day. Finally, I see that the form of our riders is getting better so I think we are in a good rhythm considering the time of the year. »
