David Gaudou (Groupama-FDJ), winner of the second stage Alto da Foia, knows that winning the yellow jersey in the Volta Ao Algarve is only temporary.

With just over 20 miles between the start and finish of Saturday's stage 4 time trial, the gap in the overall standings to the likes of Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates), Remco Evenpole (Quick-Step Alphavinil), and other roulers is just one second! The team is now in the lead in the overall standings, but only by a mere second. Something has to give.

"I'll be carrying the yellow jersey in the time trial, but I know I can't keep it. 'The lead is only one second, so it's going to be a bit of an exploit if we don't keep it. But it doesn't change the fact that I'm going to enjoy today."

There are more comfortable ways to enjoy an afternoon on the Algarve coast, but Gaudo is looking ahead to the tests later this year, including a 40km time trial on the final day of the Tour de France, and he will be checking his time against the clock all the way to Tavira. He hopes to gauge his progress.

Breton, who finished 13th overall in 2021, will ride as part of a trio this year with Thibaut Pinot and newcomer Michael Stohler.

"I've been focusing on time trials for the past few months since I started training again. 'I'm looking forward to seeing how that plays out on Saturday. Right now I don't know if I'm going to be a minute late, a minute and a half late, or two minutes late. I really don't know.

"I want to do a steady time trial and prove that I've improved my position. The time loss is almost incidental, so to speak, and I hope I can be satisfied with my own time trial."

Gaudo's teammate, Stefan Küng, is coming off an impressive stage win in Alto da Foia on Thursday and is probably the favorite to win the time trial in Tavira on Saturday. Whether or not he remains in contention for the final overall win, Gaudet will get another chance to shine in Sunday's summit finish on the Alto de Marjan.

"With a stage win, the race is already a success," said Gordou. The final stage suits me better than the Alto da Foix. I want to do my best time trial to show what I have achieved this winter."

Gaud won the summit of Alto da Foia on Thursday to take the overall lead ahead of Samuele Battistella (Astana Cazacustan) and Ethan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers).

Evenpoel, whose winning pose from two years ago is on a statue near the finish line, was expected to be a force again in the Serra de Monchique, but instead it was Gaudoux who accelerated decisively.

"The sprint was a lactic effort and reminded me of the last time I worked that hard in training camp," said Gaudou, who won for the second time in February, following his victory in last year's Von Ardèche Classic.

"I'm in good shape for mid-February. The goal is not necessarily to win here, but to have a good run in Paris-Nice.