Ayuso completed the 148.5 kilometres between Faro and the top of Malhão (Loulé) in 3:20.02 hours, beating Scotsman Oscar Onley (INEOS), second, and Frenchman Paul Seixas (Decathlon), third, who recorded the same time, with Portuguese João Almeida (UAE Emirates) in fourth, four seconds behind.

The Spaniard, who had already started the stage in the overall lead, finished the race with a total time of 15:51.12 hours, with Frenchman Paul Seixas (Decathlon) finishing second, 14 seconds behind, and Portuguese João Almeida (UAE Emirates) in third, 59 seconds behind.

The Volta ao Algarve had not been won by a Spanish cyclist since 2010, the year in which Alberto Contador won twice for Astana, repeating the success of 2009.