From the 19th to 23rd February the peloton will be tackling the Volta ao Algarve, one of the races that has most evolved at international level and features a whole array of stars every year - when it comes to the climbers, sprinters and classics specialists. We take a look at it's profiles.
The five-day race presents three days for the sprinters to test their legs early in the season, a mountain stage with a summit finish on the famous Alto da Fóia and a novelty this year - the traditional stage finale at the Alto do Malhão will now be at the end of the race's time-trial.
Stage 1: Portimão - Lagos, 192.2Km
The race starts off with a flat day, something the Algarve often offers with it's extensive coast. The sprinters will be delighted with the good weather and a sprint finish already on day 1, where a yellow jersey will also be available for the first rider to cross the line in Lagos.
Stage 2: Lagoa - Alto da Fóia, 177.6Km
The second stage of the race will be guided towards the climbers. Overall it is not too hard, but the end presents terrain for some differences to be made. At the end we've got the combination of two climbs: the first is the climb to Pomba which is 3.8 kilometers long at 7.4%, ending with 10.5 kilometers to go.
After a very small ascent, the riders climb up the exposed Alto da Fóia, climbed through a diffferent side this year. The ascent is not too hard, 8.5 kilometers at 5%, but it has quite a lot of switchbacks and a final kilometer at 9%. Without a doubt the fireworks will be left for the finale, but it will provide for an interesting battle for the win.
Stage 3: Vila Real de Santo António - Tavira, 183.5Km
Stage 3 will be another day for the sprinters, starting in Vila Real de Santo António and ending in Tavira with an arrival that features little obstacles. Another battle for the riders who have the most maximum power output.
Stage 4: Albufeira - Faro, 175.2Km
Stage 4 will be a day where the sprinters will be licking their lips once again. It's not an easy day on the bike, it does feature a few small ascents that can ache for those who struggle with the longer efforts, and even close to the finish we've got bonus seconds available at the top of a small ascent.
Nevertheless, it can hurt some sprinters but they won't be enough to prevent a bunch sprint with most certainty, and in Faro we should have a third and final battle between the sprinters.
Stage 5 (ITT): Salir - Malhão, 19.6Km
The race ends with a time-trial this year, and it will be an exciting one. 19.6 kilometers in distance, the riders will be racing against the clock from Salir to the famous Alto do Malhão. The final 2-kilometer climb averages 9% and instead of hosting a summit finish this year, it will host the finish line of the race's time-trial.
This will be the race's queen stage as in such distances it is very viable to create big differences, and additionally there will be a big challenge when it comes to pacing tactics and whether riders change bikes at the bottom of the climb or not.
🚴♂️ Já temos percurso para a 51.ª Volta ao Algarve!
— Volta ao Algarve (@VoltAlgarve) December 12, 2024
🇵🇹 Percurso renovado para aumentar o espectáculo desportivo:https://t.co/vJzXqgTlW5
🇬🇧 Renovated route to increase the sporting spectacle:https://t.co/7LHAMACQCj pic.twitter.com/uk9upgQrys
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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