The 52nd Volta ao Algarve kicks off tomorrow (February 18) with a star-studded peloton and 12 WorldTour teams competing.
From February 18 to 22, and covering nearly 700km across five thrilling stages in the Algarve, the race will feature a refreshed format designed to heighten unpredictability, adding even more excitement for both participants and spectators.
A strong international peloton has been confirmed, including 12 WorldTour teams, along with ProTeams and Portuguese Continental teams.
João Almeida returns as one of the main favorites, with Juan Ayuso positioned as a key rival. Several other prominent figures from the international cycling scene are expected, further solidifying the race’s increasing prestige. Among them are Richard Carapaz, Julian Alaphilippe, Filippo Ganna, and Arnaud De Lie.
Vila Real de Santo António makes its debut as the starting point with a flat opening stage, which features the golden kilometre on the town’s cobbled main street, where riders will tackle three bonus sprints packed into just over 1km.
Stage two (see below) moves into the hills with a more demanding climb at Alto da Fóia in Monchique, with sustained gradients of 14%, characteristic of a first category mountain. The third stage will be an individual time trial in Vilamoura, testing riders over a 19.5km technical urban course.
Stage four runs from Albufeira to Lagos, featuring a finishing circuit that could favor sprinters but also present opportunities for splits in the peloton. The race concludes with a decisive final stage from Faro to Alto do Malhão in Loulé, including a double ascent of the challenging climb. A gruelling day that promises to test the endurance of the main contenders for the yellow jersey.
The race will feature UAE Team Emirates-XRG, the squad that finished 2025 at the top of the UCI rankings, and will be represented by four Portuguese cyclists: João Almeida, who finished second in last year’s edition and also in the last Tour of Spain, leads the national aspirations, with the support of António Morgado and twins Ivo and Rui Oliveira.
Among the key highlights is the participation of Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek), who will face off against his former teammates for the first time, representing a team that also includes Derek Gee-West, who finished fourth in the 2025 Giro d’Italia. Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe will have Florian Lipowitz, who placed third in the latest Tour de France, in their lineup.
The star-studded peloton of the Volta ao Algarve also features notable riders such as Oscar Onley (INEOS Grenadiers), rising talent Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM Team), Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling Team), and sprinter Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech).
Race organisers have emphasized that changes to the format this year aim to maintain the event’s competitiveness until the very end, ensuring more action across all five days.
“In the Algarve, the spectacle is always guaranteed,” said race director Ezequiel Mosquera.
All stages will be broadcast live in Portugal on RTP2 and RTP Play, and internationally on Eurosport and HBO Max, continuing the race’s strong global presence and contributing to its economic impact in the region.
For more details and updates, visit the Volta ao Algarve website.
Stage Two (February 19): Portimão
Portimão is preparing an eventful morning to mark the second stage of the Volta ao Algarve, on February 19, along the scenic riverside area.
Before the start of the second stage, several events open to the public will be held. The teams are expected to arrive between 10.30am and 11am, followed by the athlete presentation from 11am to 12.50pm.
The official ribbon cutting will occur at 12.40pm, with the race beginning at 12.50pm. The stage will head towards Fóia in the Monchique hills, marking the first mountain finish of the 2026 edition.
With free admission, the event is expected to draw thousands of spectators to the Portimão riverside area, offering a unique atmosphere that fosters close interactions between athletes, teams, and the public.
