The 46th Volta ao Algarve, one of the region’s biggest sporting events, starts today (Wednesday) and runs until Sunday (February 23), bringing several of the world’s top cyclists to the Algarve.
Olympic champions, world champions and “stars” from the world’s top-100 will be competing for a spot in the podium but will have to prove their worth and tackle over 771kms of testing roads.
This year, the time trial is scheduled for the last day, which has not happened since 2012.
One of the highlights will be the debut of Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali (Trek-Segafredo) in the Algarve, winner of the “triple crown” of cycling – Tour, Giro and Vuelta – and the return of Wales’ Geraint Thomas (Team INEOS), winner of the 2018 edition of the Tour de France.
Poland’s Michal Kwiatkowski (Team INEOS) and Slovenia’s Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), winners of the 2018 and 2019 editions of Volta ao Algarve, will also be returning and will be hoping to bring home another title.
All in all, 24 riders from the world’s top-100 will be participating in the race – the best ranked being the Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet (CCC Team), placed sixth.
The race is divided into five stages:
February 19: First stage: Portimão – Lagos (195.6km)
February 20: Second stage: Sagres – Fóia (Monchique), 183.9 km
February 21: Third stage: Faro – Tavira, 201.9 km
February 22: Fourth stage: Albufeira – Malhão (Loulé), 169.7 km
February 23: Fifth stage: Lagoa – Lagoa, 20.3 km (time trial)
Traffic restrictions will be in place across the boroughs hosting Volta ao Algarve stages.
More information on schedules can be found on the event’s official website.
Where to watch it?
The Volta ao Algarve will be broadcast in 83 countries. In Portugal, the race can be seen on Eurosport2 and TVI24.
Eurosport will broadcast all stages live on Eurosport channels throughout Europe, Asia and Australia, including 65 countries. In addition, it will provide access to the race across Europe on its digital platform, Eurosport Player.
SKY Sports will be the channel where you can watch the race in New Zealand and TV2 Norway will broadcast on an open channel inside the country.
The race will also reach Latin America, through Claro Sports, and can be seen in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Global Cycling Network, an online platform with nearly two million followers on Youtube and over one million on Facebook, wi
ll also be covering the event and promises daily highlights. It will also include content from Volta ao Algarve in its weekly programme, the GCN Race Show.
The event’s media impact was highlighted at the start of the month by Algarve tourism boss João Fernandes, who described it as an “excellent asset for the promotion of the Algarve’s image, diversity and beautiful landscapes”.
Family ride and Granfondo race
This year, the Volta ao Algarve will feature two other events which are open to the public – one of them a family ride which will take place on Saturday (February 22) in Albufeira and the other a Granfondo Cofidis race, departing and arriving in Lagoa, on Sunday.
The first aims to be a cycling event for people of all ages, promoting physical activity along a 3km route. Registration for this event is free and also includes insurance and gifts for all participants.
The second is a more serious competition which is open to federated and non-federated cyclists who can choose to compete in two routes (78km or 121km).
More information about both events can be found on the Volta ao Algarve website.
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