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.
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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.
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 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 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.
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
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- Is this a joke?Jkolner12316-03-2025
- He has declined leadership though in the past? Lack of confidence? Hedging your bets works sometimes, at other times it is better to commit and go in big.Cyclingsbestfan16-03-2025
- Pidcock is starting sound like a more mature rider. It may be the media reports when he was at ineos skewing things, but he starting to sound like a defferent person.Cyclingsbestfan16-03-2025
- Yep If he could just get some consistency going with his form, he would be a rider to be reckoned with in any gc race. As it is he blows hot and cold.Cyclingsbestfan16-03-2025
- I was watching the race live, and it seems like this crash could have been avoided. A pre-race course inspection and appropriate signage.yuckly16-03-2025
- Jonas won T-A last tear and wanted to do P-N this year. Jorgensen also wanted to do it, he declined every si gle opportunity to be a solo leader, eevry stage race Jonas doesn't do, Girovappaxbipmv16-03-2025
- I agree, he either needs a surprise attack in the final, win a sprint or just somehow overpower everyonevappaxbipmv16-03-2025
- Did old man Bruyneel make this point before Jonas crashed out?Renz16-03-2025
- Good win for Ayuso. He has appeared a bit inconsistent on mountain stages in the past; absolutely brilliant on some but then cracking on others.Cooldude16-03-2025
- A little caution is understandable. Just ask Roglic.Cooldude16-03-2025