The INEOS Grenadiers safely negotiated the penultimate stage at the Volta ao Algarve on a day which saw the sprinters battle it out.
Energy conservation, before key positioning on the run into Lagos, were the order of the day, with the team coming through the test with their trio of GC riders holding station.
Kevin Vauquelin (fourth), Thymen Arensman (fifth) and Oscar Onley (sixth) all head into Sunday's finale with the chance to elevate themselves on the leaderboard.
The team were able to move to the fore late on, taking the stress out of the final lap, before finishing safely in the peloton. Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) won his second sprint of the event, while Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) maintained the overall lead.
Taking the stress out of the final and getting ready for tomorrow ✅✅
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) February 21, 2026
Sport Director Christian Knees talks us through how the team executed the plan on the road today at #VoltaAlgarve pic.twitter.com/PjVLHp6VWC
Saturday also brought the penultimate stage at UAE Tour, which saw Josh Tarling and Peter Øxenberg enjoy a big day out in the breakaway.
The duo formed part of a seven-man move on the flat lead into the Jebel Hafeet climb. The group held an advantage of 1:20 over a rapidly advancing peloton at the foot of the climb, with Tarling and Øxenberg quickly accelerating clear.
Josh emptied the tank in support of his teammate, but the pair would be overhauled with 6km to go. Embret Svestad-Bardseng rode his way into the elite GC group, finishing 11th on the stage.
Isaac Del Toro (UAE Emirates - XRG) won at the summit to move into a 20-second race lead. Sunday's finale looks set to provide another bunch sprint opportunity.