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Volta ao Algarve, Ruta del Sol and Tour of Oman talking points

Geraint Thomas on stage 5 of the 2016 Volta ao Algarve
Image: Geraint Thomas won the Volta ao Algarve for the second year in succession

Last week was packed with racing at the Tour of Oman, Volta ao Algarve and Ruta del Sol.

Big names won all three, with Vincenzo Nibali claiming victory in Oman, Geraint Thomas triumphing in Portugal and Alejandro Valverde taking the title in Spain.

Here, we look back at the key talking points…

Boasson Hagen is back

Edvald Boasson Hagen of Norway and Dimension Data celebrates winning stage two of the 2016 Tour of Oman
Image: Edvald Boasson Hagen was in superb form at the Tour of Qatar and Tour of Oman

Edvald Boasson Hagen was touted as one of the next big things in cycling when he first turned professional, but the Norwegian's career began to stall as he entered his mid-20s and, after poor seasons in 2013 and 2014, he left Team Sky for MTN-Qhubeka.

At face value it was unquestionably a step down, but an overall victory at last September's Tour of Britain, a stage win at the Tour of Qatar earlier this month and then two more stage wins at the Tour of Oman last week suggested he is getting back to his best.

A perfect illustration of the improvement in his form over the year and a bit he has been at Dimension Data lies in his performances in the Tour of Qatar individual time trial over the past two seasons. Last year he stopped the clock in 14min 24sec and finished eighth, while this year he navigated the same course in 13min 26sec and won the stage.

Big guns all firing

Alberto Contador, Volta ao Algarve 2016, Alto do Malhao
Image: Alberto Contador is among the big names who already have wins this season

We're only a month into the season but almost every big name in men's cycling has notched a win.

Also See:

Alexander Kristoff (five), Marcel Kittel (five), Mark Cavendish (two), Chris Froome (two), Alejandro Valverde (two),  Vincenzo Nibali (two), Fabian Cancellara (two), Alberto Contador (one), Richie Porte (one), Geraint Thomas (one) and Tejay van Garderen (one) are all off the mark in what has been a highly competitive start to the year.

It is little surprise that the sprinters are totting up victories, but the fact that Froome, Contador, Valverde and Nibali are all straight into their stride promises some close and exciting stage racing in the coming spring and summer.

Quick-Step and Sky top teams so far

Marcel Kittel wins stage 1 of the 2016 Volta ao Algarve
Image: Marcel Kittel has delivered five wins for Etixx - Quick-Step

Etixx - Quick-Step and Team Sky were the two most prolific teams in men's cycling last year and early signs suggest they will once again be the strongest in 2016.

While Etixx - Quick-Step have secured 11 wins already and Team Sky have nine (plus 11 second places), the next most prolific UCI WorldTour teams are Orica-GreenEdge with seven, Dimension Data and Astana with six, Katusha with five and Movistar with four.

2016 cycling calendar
2016 cycling calendar

Month-by-month breakdown of which races are on and when

Etixx - Quick-Step's tally has unquestionably been aided by the scintillating form of Marcel Kittel, who took his personal tally to five by winning twice at the Volta ao Algarve, but they have also had victories from six other riders. It's a similar story at Team Sky, who have had five riders claim wins, the latest being Thomas' overall title in Portugal.

It's still early in the year, but rival teams are already playing catch-up. 

Cancellara on a mission

Fabian Cancellara on stage 3 of the 2016 Volta ao Algarve
Image: Fabian Cancellara has made a determined start to the season

Cancellara was never going to let his career peter out quietly, so it's little surprise that he has started the final season as a professional in exhilarating form.

The fire was there to see in his solo win at last month's Challenge Mallorca, it was present in his impressive fourth place on the Dubai Tour's difficult uphill finish on Hatta Dam, and it was particularly evident in his win in the individual time trial at the Volta ao Algarve.

His five-second victory over runner-up Tony Martin was the first time he has beaten the German in a time trial in almost two years, suggesting that not only is he in superb physical condition, but that he is also confident and determined.

What were your thoughts on last week's racing? Let us know by leaving a comment below or by tweeting @SkyCycling.

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