It was a great 8th stage of the Volta a Portugal for the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team with Fabricio Ferrari in the escape until the end and with Eduard Prades winning the stage. Prades’ victory is the team’s second so far in the Portuguese tour (Jose Gonçalves took home the first one), his fifth triumph as a professional and, with it, he becomes the eighth Caja Rural-Seguros RGA rider to win in 2015.

The eight Caja Rural-Seguros RGA riders to have won so far this year are: Eduard Prades, Jose Gonçalves, Amets Txurruka, Pello Bilbao, Omar Fraile, Carlos Barbero, Lluis Mas and Ángel Madrazo.

Eduard Prades obtained his 5th triumph as a professional rider: Volta Alentejo stage in 2014, Joaquin Agostinho stage and general classification in 2013, Circuito L’Emporda stage and this one in the Volta Portugal.

"I felt immense relief and joy, I have been waiting to win with the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team for a long time," he said. "I tried on 4 occasions, but the team was very strong and I had to work, but this time I had the opportunity and was able to win. I needed it, and so did the team, as they are doing so well in this Volta.

"I was concentrating really hard, I knew who I had to catch up to, namely Caldeira and Vigano who finished 2nd and 3rd. There was a climb and then some roundabouts, so finding the right position was key because making a comeback would be impossible. I took the final curve very fast so as not to lose speed and it paid off.

"In the last 150 meters I started to approach Samuel Caldeira. Despite coming from a little further back, I tried to take the last turn on the inside and gain speed. That's when I caught his and at that time, I could pass him.

"There have been times where I’ve had the chance to win but I was working for other riders to win, who did win, instead. This time I was able to have my chance and make the most of it.

"I would like to dedicate it to my girlfriend in particular, as she is the one who suffers, with the distance and the nerves that come before the races. Of course, I’d also like to dedicate it to all those people who have been there for me over the years. To the team also, that goes without saying, for their trust and their help, but this victory is for my girlfriend, we don’t see each other much, so I dedicate this to her."

“We’re very happy, we’ve won yet again and with another rider this time," team manager Josemi Fernández said. "Eduard Prades also opens his victory tally as a professional. The truth is that we have many young riders who are proving their ability to win, it is such a huge satisfaction for us. Prades has been having a great year so far, with many top1 0 positions, he had this opportunity and he won, we have to congratulate him and enjoy the victory."