Stefan Küng thought that the new UCI rules for time trial setups might work to his advantage.

Küng also changed his position over the winter as the UCI changed the rules for time trial handle extensions to allow more variation based on height. The maximum horizontal reach was already applied to Kühn, who is over 190 cm tall, but now the vertical reach is extended by 40%.

Previously, the rules limited the height difference between the midpoint of the forearm support and the top of the extension to 100 mm for all athletes, regardless of their size.

Now, however, riders are divided into three height categories, with riders over 180 cm enjoying a height difference of 120 mm and riders over 190 cm enjoying a height difference of 140 mm.

"This allows us to close the gap from hand to face," Küng told Cycling News, putting it plainly.

"By doing this, it makes it more aerodynamic. We could already do this, as you can see with Remco Evenpoel, because he is so small. It levels the playing field a little bit,

"We spent a lot of time in the wind tunnel and gained some advantages. It's already an advantage."

Cung was initially not too happy with his run on the last day in Volta, noting that the first time trial of the season is always a shock. However, he was able to really enjoy the day's running as he watched riders such as Filippo Ganna and Tobias Foss return home with times outside his own.

"The first TT of the season was really tricky. The first TT of the season was really tricky. We got a new position, but it was a tricky one going into the season.

"Unfortunately, the course wasn't closed in Rikon, so I almost didn't take it on the left turn at the roundabout with 5km to go. It was really difficult but overall I think I had a good time trial."

Ultimately, Kühn's dominant time moved him up 13 places in the overall standings and he finished the race in fifth place overall.

"I am always happy to get a good result here in the Algarve, first of all in GC. This race was a good preparation for the classics for me."