The Portuguese Cycling Federation, organiser of the Volta ao Algarve, has unveiled the first 18 teams registered for the race which will take place from the 15th to the 19th of February 2017. The race will be attended by 24 teams.

The race in the south of Portugal has already assured the participation of seven squads from WorldTour: Astana (KAZ), Bora-hansgrohe (GER), Cannondale-Drapac (USA), Dimension Data (RSA), Katusha-Alpecin (SWI), Lotto Soudal (BEL) and Quick-Step Floors (BEL).

The most international of the Portuguese Cycling events will also be able to present four Pro Continental teams: Winner of the 2016 Europe Tour, Wanty-Groupe Gobert (BEL), the best Russian team of 2017, Gazprom-RusVelo, Spanish Caja Rural-Seguros-RGA and the Colombian Manzana Postobón.

The 43rd Volta ao Algarve will be attended by seven Continental teams, the six Portuguese teams at this level and Rally Cycling from the United States of America.

The organizers are still in contact with WorldTour and Pro Continental teams in order to build a final peloton of 24 teams.

In the next few days the final route of the race will be revealed. We already know the general profile of the stages. The first stage starts in Albufeira and ends in Lagos, probably with a mass sprint. The second stage, from Lagoa to Fóia, is the first uphill finish of the race. The third stage is an individual time trial of 18 km around Sagres. The sprinters will have another chance on the fourth day, a stage between Almodôvar and Tavira. The race will end with the fifth stage, from Loulé to the top of Malhão, the most iconic climb of Algarve.