The 2026 Volta a Portugal will be broadcast internationally and may feature UAE Team Emirates

The 87th edition of the Volta a Portugal by bicycle is expected to feature a route that will cover practically the entire national territory and will be broadcast beyond borders for the first time, revealed new race director Ezequiel Mosquera, who also admitted the possibility of UAE Team Emirates - XRG joining the set of teams present in the race - Scheduled to take place between August 5 and 16.

"The novelty is that we will 'touch' the whole country. The intention is for the average Portuguese person to look at the map and say: this is the Volta a Portugal. We are working on that and also on new features, without abandoning the classics," said the new director of the main event on the national cycling calendar.

Speaking to Lusa news agency and Antena 1, on the sidelines of the Gran Camiño, of which he is also the director, Mosquera explained that the new organization intends to introduce gradual changes without breaking the race’s historical identity.

It is a race that does not carry the same prestige as it has done in the last century, however continues to be relatively popular in some cycling circles. Whilst Portugal hosts world-class competition at the Figueira Champions Classic and Volta ao Algarve, the Volta a Portugal continues to be by far the country's most important event, and is often called a 'mini Grand Tour' - whilst in the past, it has had a duration of three weeks as well.

"We also don’t want to be the target of criticism and be told 'this guy came in and changed everything overnight.' In the Volta a Portugal, there were many things that worked well and it was a great event. And within what exists, we want to start contacting other municipalities, adding other towns and other iconic places in Portugal, which is the main focus this year," he said.

Despite the intention to innovate, some of the race’s most emblematic locations are expected to remain on the route. The climb to Serra da Estrela and the traditional finish at Senhora da Graça should continue, albeit with possible changes to format or placement within the course.

"I always say we have to be different, not repetitive, which often involves taking risks. It is very important to generate anticipation, and Portugal has the terrain for that. Above all, we want to seek out iconic Portuguese locations that until now were more off the Volta a Portugal’s radar, while preserving some stages, and be present throughout the country," he summarized.

Without revealing, for now, the start and finish points for this year’s edition, the former Galician cyclist also highlighted the strengthening of the race’s international visibility, which is expected to be broadcast via Eurosport.

"It’s a super event, and the Portuguese need to believe that. There are races with big budgets that don’t come close to the level of the Volta a Portugal. The only thing missing was to show the world the great production that RTP delivers. That is what sustains cycling nowadays," he stressed.

The company EME Sports, led by Mosquera, intends to reposition the Volta as a product with greater international projection, no longer seen only as a domestic competition and instead generating greater interest abroad. The strategy involves attracting new teams and increasing global anticipation around the race, bringing it closer to the concept of a mini Tour de France.

In that regard, Mosquera admitted it is "likely" that UAE Emirates, currently the number 1 team in the world rankings, as well as "a few more" WorldTour outfits, the top tier of international cycling, will be on Portuguese roads during this summer’s edition. Note that the last time a WorldTour team was present at the "Grandíssima" was in 2021, with Movistar, and in 2025 only one ProTeam (2nd tier) took part, with the remainder being continental teams.