This page contains the stage podium, the race story, GC implications after the stage, and per-rider performance. Read no further if you intend to watch this stage unspoiled.
Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) doubled up with a second bunch-sprint win, again ahead of Jordi Meeus, on the 175.1 km run to Lagos. Oded Kogut took a surprise third for NSN Cycling Team. The GC was untouched ahead of the decisive Malhão summit finish.
The 175.1 km hilly stage from Albufeira to Lagos was the last chance for the fast men before the mountains decided the race, and it again came down to a reduced bunch sprint. Soudal Quick-Step controlled the finale for Paul Magnier.
Magnier won the gallop into Lagos for his second stage of the week, once more holding off Jordi Meeus, who took a second consecutive runner-up placing. Oded Kogut grabbed an eye-catching third for the NSN Cycling Team, with Lidl-Trek's Tim Torn Teutenberg fourth and Kogut's teammate Hugo Hofstetter fifth, all at the same time as the winner.
The GC men finished safely in the bunch with no changes among the contenders, setting up the final-day showdown at the Alto do Malhão with Ayuso in yellow.
The sprinters' stage left the overall standings untouched: Ayuso retained the lead over Seixas and Almeida, with everything to be decided on stage 5's Alto do Malhão summit finish. Magnier consolidated his hold on the points classification.
Magnier completed a sprinter's double in the Algarve, winning into Lagos exactly as he had in Tavira — beating Meeus again. The two wins effectively sealed the green points jersey and made him the most successful rider of the race outside the GC battle.
Meeus was second to Magnier for the second time in the race, again unable to find a way past the Frenchman. Two runner-up finishes left him as the week's best of the rest in the sprints.