The 43rd Volta ao Algarve (15 to 19 February) will have five stages and a total of 770.2 kilometers. The final design of the stages confirms the Volta ao Algarve as a great race for the beggining of the season, with opportunities for all kind of riders.

 

The race will be similar to the last editions, offering two chances for sprinters, one individual time trial and two uphill finishes. A complete rider is likely win win the Volta ao Algarve, but some of the best sprinters, time trialists and classics specialists of the international peloton are also expected to be in attendance.

 

The first stage will link Albufeira and Lagos by a 180.3 kilometers flat route. The sprinters should show their strength.

 

The riders who pretend to wear the final yellow jersey have their first test on the second stage, 189.3 kilometers from Lagoa to Fóia, the highest point of Algarve (900 meters). The climb to the finish line has 9,1 kilometers and an average gradient of 6.2 per cent. The first kilometer of the climb is the steepest with an average gradient of 9.6 per cent.

 

The third stage is a flat individual time trial of 18 kilometers around Sagres. The route is the same of last year.

 

The fourth stage is the longest of the competition with 203,4 kilometers from Almodôvar to Tavira. It is the second chance for sprinters.

 

The 2017 Volta ao Algarve will end with a 179.2 kilometers stage from Loulé to the top of Malhão (2,8 km with an average gradient of 8.9 per cent). The last 41.5 kilometers include three climbs in a circuit that is similar to the Ardennes Classics.

 

The peloton is growing

The peloton of the 43rd Volta ao Algarve is growing. During the last week, three more WorldTour teams joined the bunch: FDJ, Lotto NL-Jumbo and Movistar. There are already confirmed ten teams from the first division of cycling.

 

Teams already confirmed

WorldTour: Astana (CAZ), Bora-hansgrohe (GER), Cannondale-Drapac (EUA), Dimension Data (RSA), FDJ (FRA), Katusha-Alpecin (SUI), Lotto NL-Jumbo (NED), Lotto Suudal (BEL), Movistar (ESP) and Quick-Step Floors (BEL).

Pro continental: Caja Rural-Seguros RGA (ESP), Gazprom-RusVelo (RUS), Manzana Postobón (COL) and Wanty-Groupe Gobert (BEL)

Continental: Efapel, LA Alumínios-Metalusa, Louletano-Hospital de Loulé, RP-Boavista, Sporting-Tavira and W52-FC Porto (POR), and Rally Cycling (EUA)

 

2017 Stages

15 February – 1st Etapa: Albufeira – Lagos, 180,3 km

16 February – 2nd Etapa: Lagoa – Fóia (Monchique), 189,3 km

17 February – 3rd Etapa: Sagres – Sagres (C/R Individual), 18 km

18 February – 4th Etapa: Almodôvar – Tavira, 203,4 km

19 February– 5th Etapa: Loulé – Malhão, 179,2 km

 

Last 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)