After winning the sprint on the opening day of the Volta ao Algarve, Sacha Modolo (Lampre-Merida) could only manage 5th in today's final stage. However, the Italian claims to have been faster than stage winner Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) and would have loved to add another win to a successful race for his team that had world champion Rui Costa finish in 3rd on GC.

Sacha Modolo has had a fantastic start to his season, with four wins taken in just a month of racing with his new Lampre-Merida team. Most recently, he proved his strength when he won the first stage of the Volta ao Algarve.

The Italian had hoped to make it two from two in today's final sprint in the Portuguese race but he could only manage 5th. However, he claims that he was the fastest sprinter in the peloton, even faster than stage winner Mark Cavendish.

"I am convinced that I was the strongest of the riders who did the sprint," he said "I don't say it out of presumption but I had great legs and was riding well. I got confirmation when Cavendish started his sprint 300m from the line. I could easily respond. Unfortunately, the path I had chosen for my sprint was closed in front of me. There was no space between the barriers and Cavendish and I was forced to slow down and then restart my sprint. Then it was too late. The speed was lost and another win in Portugal had gone.

"Once again, I will thank my team for the great job they did today. They are a good group. Now I go hope and return to competition at the Roma Maxima."

For Lampre-Merida, however, the day remained a success. World champion Rui Costa finished 3rd overall after having taken three 2nd places during the 5 stages. The Portuguese hopes to one day win the big race in his home country after having come close on a number of occasions.

"I would have loved to have taken the victory in Portugal but I couldn't," he said. "The team was very good and I want to thank them. I leave the race very satisfied and am happy with my performance. I hope someday to win in Portugal but the Volta ao Algarve is becoming increasingly difficult. I was regular each day and did my best. It is a very important race for me."

Sports director Joxean Fernando Matxin praised his team after a race that also included a win in the teams classification, the points jersey for Rui Costa, and an 8th place for new signing Chris Horner.

"The balance of our Volta ao Algarve is good, with a win, a podium spot, excellent signals from Rui Costa who got close to a success three times," he said. "I will also add the condition of Horner which is already good, the great work done by Cattaneo, Oliveira, and Polanc and the good cooperation between Ferrari and Richeze to lead Modolo out in the sprints. The only negative is that we maybe missed another win in exchange for our many good results. Rui Costa certainly deserved it."