The Volta ao Algarve, set to take place from 14 to 18 February 2024, will host its 50th edition with a diverse lineup of 25 teams, including thirteen WorldTeams. Among these teams are UAE Emirates, Visma | Lease a Bike, Soudal Quick-Step, INEOS Grenadiers, and Lidl-Trek. Also joining are Alpecin-Deceuninck, Arkea-B&B Hotels, Astana Qazaqstan Team, BORA-hansgrohe, EF Education-EasyPost, Groupama-FDJ, Intermarché-Wanty, and DSM-Firmenich PostNL.
The race, part of the UCI ProSeries, promises a mix of stages catering to both climbers and sprinters. The route includes two mountain finishes, a 22.2-kilometre individual time trial, and sprint-friendly stages, ensuring varied competition.
The race will span 752.9 kilometres over five days, including 14,455 meters of elevation gain. Bonuses at the finish line and mid-race sprints add to the strategic depth of the race. The first stage, from Portimão to Lagos, typically suits sprinters, with past victories by riders like Fernando Gaviria, Dylan Groenewegen, and Fabio Jakobsen.
The second stage is climber-friendly, culminating in a 7.1-kilometer ascent to Fóia, the Algarve’s highest point. Previous winners here include Luis León Sánchez, Daniel Martin, and Tadej Pogačar. The third stage from Vila Real de Santo António to Tavira brings back sprint action. The fourth stage features a time trial in Albufeira, a prime spot for time trial specialists with a somewhat hilly course.
The final stage’s climax will be on the Alto do Malhão, a decisive 2.5-kilometer climb with a 9.9% gradient, appearing twice in the route. This stage will ultimately determine the race’s overall winner, following in the footsteps of the previous victor, Daniel Felipe Martínez.
Volta ao Algarve 2024 Stages
14/02 – Stage 1: Portimão – Lagos (200.8 km)
15/02 – Stage 2: Lagoa – Fóia (171.9 km)
16/02 – Stage 3: Vila Real de Santo António – Tavira (192.2 km)
17/02 – Stage 4: Albufeira – Albufeira (22.2 km, ITT)
18/02 – Stage 5: Faro – Alto do Malhão (165.8 km)
Volta ao Algarve 2024 Teams
WorldTeams
Alpecin-Deceuninck , Arkea-B&B Hotels, Astana Qazaqstan Team, BORA-hansgrohe , EF Education-EasyPost , Groupama-FDJ , INEOS Grenadiers , Intermarché-Wanty , Lidl-Trek , Soudal Quick-Step , dsm-firmenich PostNL, UAE Emirates, Visma | Lease a Bike
ProTeams
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA , Tudor Pro Cycling, Uno-X Mobility
Continental
ABTF Betão-Feirense, AP Hotels & Resorts-Tavira-SC Farense, Aviludo-Louletano-Loulé Concelho, Credibom-LA Alumínios-Marcos Car, Efapel Cycling, Kelly-Simoldes-UDO, Rádio Popular-Paredes- Boavista, Sabgal-Anicolor, Tavfer-Ovos Matinados-Mortágua
