The cities that will host the stages of the 43rd Volta ao Algarve, which take place from 15 to 19 February 2017, have been announced. For the first time the Volta ao Algarve will be a 2.HC race after several years as a 2.1 race.

The route will keep the profile of the last years, providing a race to crown a complete rider but with opportunities to all kinds of riders.

The Volta ao Algarve will have two stages adapted to the sprinters, two uphill finishes and an individual time trial.

The race will start with a low profile stage from Albufeira to Lagos where the peloton will find a great place to a spectacular sprint.

The second stage starts at Lagoa and will end at the top of Fóia, the highest point of Algarve, at 902 meters of elevation.

The individual time trial will be held at the third day of competition. The individual exercise will take place in Sagres and will have a distance of 20 km.

The sprinters will have another chance to shine on the fourth stage, a flat hourney from Almodôvar to Tavira.

The 43rd Volta ao Algarve will end with the queen stage, from Loulé to the top of Malhão, the mythic climb of Algarve (2,5 km at 9,4%).

Geraint Thomas won the 2016 edition of the race.

2017 Stages

Stage 1: Albufeira – Lagos

Stage 2: Lagoa – Fóia (Monchique)

Stage 3: Sagres – Sagres (ITT)

Stage 4: Almodôvar – Tavira

Stage 5: Loulé - Malhão

Last stage winners in:

Lagos

2011 - John Degenkolb (HTC-High Road)

2010 - André Greipel (Team HTC-Columbia)

2009 - Koldo Fernández (Euskaltel-Euskadi)

Fóia

2016 - Luis León Sánchez (Astana)

2002 - Alex Zülle (Team Coast)

2001 - José Azevedo (ONCE)

Sagres

2016 - Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo)

2015 - Tony Martin (Etixx-QuickStep)

2014 - Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-QuickStep)

Tavira

2016 - Marcel Kittel (Etixx-QuickStep)

2013 - Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-QuickStep)

2012 - Gerald Ciolek (Omega Pharma-QuickStep)

Malhão

2016 - Alberto Contador (Tinkoff)

2015 - Richie Porte (Sky)

2014 - Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo)

Last Winners of the Volta ao Algarve

2016 - Geraint Thomas (Sky)

2015 - Geraint Thomas (Sky)

2014 - Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-QuickStep)

2013 - Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-QuickStep)

2012 - Richie Porte (Sky)

2011 - Tony Martin (HTC-Highroad)

2010 - Alberto Contador (Astana)

2009 - Alberto Contador (Astana)

2008 - Stijn Devolder (QuickStep)

2007 - Alessandro Petacchi (Milram)