Tom Pidcock described the overall battle as "an afterthought" at the start of the Volta ao Algarve, but with the yellow jersey on his back and 24.4km to go, the prospect of his first stage race win as a pro was in sight.

It was no secret that Pidcock would be in contention on Saturday's punchy climb up the Alto de Mallao. What remains a mystery is how he will fare in Sunday's time trial.

Judging by the smile on his face when this million dollar question was posed to him, Pidcock himself has no idea.

"I guess we'll find out tomorrow," was his conclusion to this question.

Pidcock has not competed in many time trials in his career.

When asked when was the last time he gave his all against the clock, his answer was "a really long time ago."

Pidcock has one important feather in his cap, having been world champion in this discipline at the junior level in Bergen in 2017. Last year, he was the best finisher for Ineos in the opening round of the Tour de France in Copenhagen.

"I've been world champion before, so I'll be fine on that day," he added. [Compared to the mighty Filippo Ganna, Pidcock's teammate and overall contender in the Algarve, athletes weighing less than 60 kg are often at a disadvantage. Pidcock is naturally talented and should be a good time trialist, but he probably doesn't have much time to spend on his TT machine, as he races on a variety of bikes, including road, cross, and MTB.

"I've done a little bit, but not very much," Pidcock told Cycling News.

"I'm putting in more time this year than I did last year. I'm putting in more time this year than I did last year.

Pidcock vowed to treat each of the race's five stages as "opportunities," and was certainly one of the stars of the first day's group sprint (and demotion), the mistake at the top of Alto da Foia, the late breakaway to Tavira, and now the victory atop Alto do Marillo He has been one of the stars of the race.

With that victory and a level of form that justifies his difficult decision to skip the cyclo-cross world championships, Pidcock feels that mission has already been accomplished here in Portugal.

"My goal was to come here and win a stage, GC was an afterthought. I was going to open the gas pedal all the way in the TT anyway. If I don't win the GC, I'm not going to cry myself to sleep."

Still, Sunday is a very important day in Pidcock's career. For Pidcock, Sunday is a very important day in his career. Pidcock has yet to race against the clock, but he needs the experience to get closer to his stated goal of becoming an overall class rider and to his dream of one day winning the Tour de France.

"Running a time trial is one thing, but running for the yellow jersey is quite another.

"That's one of the reasons I chose this race instead of Ruta del Sol.

"Going through the whole process will be an important step for me.