The most stealthy winner of the 2023 stage race was Daniel Martinez of Volta ao Algarve. No one seemed to notice the Colombian in the middle, as everyone was focused on his two teammates, Tom Pidcock, defending his overall lead, and Filippo Ganna, who recovered from ninth place.

Martinez, however, held on to fourth place in the final time trial in Lagoa to claim his third career stage race title, following the Criterium du Dauphiné in 2020 and Iturria-Basque in 2022.

After a disappointing 29th place overall last year, the 26-year-old, who will lead Ineos in this year's Tour de France, has added to his credibility.

"It's the biggest race and I definitely want to get my revenge," Martinez told Cycling News after visiting the podium in Algarve.

"Last year I was in good shape, but I contracted a small respiratory illness that put me out of the race. After that it was very hard to recover from the heat and the level of the Tour. This year I hope to start that experience all over again.

"I want to enjoy my victory in the Algarve and go step by step towards the Tour. That's the big goal, but before that there are important races like Paris-Nice, Basque Country, and the Ardennes.

Martinez shared the lead with Geraint Thomas and Adam Yates at last year's Tour.

Egan Bernal is keen to return to the Tour this summer, but it remains to be seen if he can rediscover the level that won him the 2019 event as he continues his comeback from a life-threatening accident a year ago. Meanwhile, Tom Pidcock is also making his return following his victory at Alpe d'Huez last year, but his thoughts on the GC are tentative at best.

"For now, Dani is the main contender for the Tour," Ineos Grenadier deputy team principal Rod Ellingworth told Cycling News in Algarve.

"As for Egan, I don't expect him at all. I think that's unfair. He will have his own expectations. But I can't say anything about the tools yet. It's completely open.

"You can't fault him for what he's done. Where he is right now is pretty phenomenal. He sends us videos and updates on what he's doing in training. We are running with him, giving him every opportunity and backing him 100 percent."

Bernal recovered from multiple spinal fractures with amazing speed last August and returned to racing, but has suffered setbacks to start the season in the form of a knee injury that kept him out of the Vuelta a San Juan and out of last week's Ruta del Sol race.

"This little problem has nothing to do with last year. It's just a bruise around the knee. We just don't want to put him at risk," Ellingworth explained.

"He's frustrated and wants to race. But they always want to push, so we have to be strong. Last year, Egan wanted to come back earlier, but we held him back. Sometimes you have to hold them back."

Martinez now heads to Paris-Nice in early March, where he could line up with Bernal if his compatriot is allowed to resume racing.

"Egan is recovering from a knee injury, but he is a great professional and will recover well," Martinez said.

"The road to the Tour is long, there are many races and anything can happen. Egan had a good start in Argentina. Tom is also very good. We have to stay calm and go step by step."