‘Algarve Bike Challenge’ – the region’s annual mountain bike event – has gained a valuable new partner in the form of Algarve tourism board (RTA).
The regional entity has joined the event as co-organiser in a bid to promote nature tourism and “attract more visitors” to the Algarve during the “low season”.
The challenge, which will be held between March 3-5 this year, attracts hundreds of amateur and professional bike racers to compete along some of the region’s best trails, including parts of the coast, the interior ‘Barrocal’ and the Caldeirão mountains.
“Cycling is a strategic product to promote the region and we believe that cycling is a great way of discovering the Algarve while in direct contact with nature,” tourism boss Desidério Silva said in a statement, adding: “We want to make the Algarve one of the biggest destinations in Europe for cyclists during the low season, which is why events like these play a key role in achieving that goal.”
As many as 800 cyclists took part in the 2016 bike challenge, 60% of whom were foreigners, he said. This year the goal is to reach the 1,000 participants.
Any cyclists interested in taking part should sign up online at:
www.algarvebikechallenge.com/pt/inscricoes
