Förster thanks team-mates for win

Robert Förster won the third stage of the Volta a Algarve to comfortably hold on to the leader's jersey in the race. "With this win, I thanked my team-mates who once again did a super job of supporting me," he said. "Today was really hard - the rain, the course. And the guys worked hard all day to chase down the escapees."

The escape group built up a maximum lead of 17 minutes before the peloton reeled them back in. Showing once again that the sprinters teams have chasing down escapes to a fine art, the reminisces of the break was swallowed up just 600 meters before the finish line. "Then it was my turn, and I took advantage of it," the 30 year-old said.

It was his second stage win within three days. "The first win was surely a bit more important because it was the first, it broke the ice, and I knew then that I could do it. That gives self-confidence," Förster said. "The second win is good confirmation - especially when you win in the yellow jersey, as I did."

Förster expects to lose the leader's jersey after Saturday's time trial. "Hopefully to a team-mate," he said. "But I will do all I can. The yellow jersey demands that."