OPENING192.7 km on the Figueira da Foz loops, raced under the strong winds that hit Portugal and Spain that Saturday — the same gusts that forced the neutralisation of the Vuelta a Murcia's final stage. An early break of five home riders — Rafael Reis, Pedro Pinto, Diogo Narciso, Diogo Pinto and Daniel Viegas — went clear and was given a leash through the long opening section before the race converged on the finishing circuit.

UNFOLDSThe finishing circuit — three laps, each with two climbs — is where the race ignited. Pinto went solo, then was reeled in by Reis along with Cedric Beullens and Iker Gómez bridging from the bunch. With two laps to go Brandon McNulty attacked out of the peloton and took Daniel Martínez, Max Poole and Riley Sheehan with him; the dangerous quartet hung out front for a long stretch before the bunch's firepower pulled them back into the final lap.

DECIDEDMcNulty went again on the circuit's big climb on the last lap, this time dragging clear a select group of António Morgado, Alex Aranburu, Tom Gloag, Pau Martí, Jarno Widar and Daniel Martínez. McNulty then sacrificed his own chances, riding to keep the group clear of the chasing remnants of the peloton — a textbook UAE set-up for his leader.

FINALEOn the final ramp, just under 6 km out, Aranburu attacked first; Morgado countered on the steepest pitch and only the Basque could follow. The two collaborated to the line, and despite Aranburu's reputation as a fast finisher, Morgado's explosivity told — a second consecutive Figueira win for the 22-year-old home rider. Pau Martí led the chase group home for third at nine seconds, ahead of Widar and Izagirre; Hirschi headed the next group at +21.