Where: Algarve, Portugal
When: February
Rank: UCI 2.HC
The Volta ao Algarve is a five-day stage race that takes place every year in the early racing season, generally appearing on the calendar in February.
The race, which has run since 1960 and is now part of the UCI Europe Tour, has become popular with climbers, sprinters and time triallists because of it's varied stages. It also offers an alternative to the Ruta del Sol stage race in Spain, which is heavily geared towards the lightweight men of peloton.
Still, the race isn't usually without it's climbing tests, however the time trial has often proven just as decisive as any hills that appear on the route.
The first three decades of the Volta ao Algarve's existence were dominated by wins for home Portuguese riders, but in recent years big names like Alberto Contador, Tony Martin and Geraint Thomas have all taken multiple victories.
The most recent winner of the race, Slovenia's Primoz Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo) took his GC advantage after an impressive time trial performance, like many of the riders who have won in recent years.
Volta ao Algarve recent winners
2007 Alessandro Petacchi (ITA) Team Milram
2008 Stijn Devolder (BEL) Quick-Step
2009 Alberto Contador (ESP) Astana
2010 Alberto Contador (ESP) Astana
2011 Tony Martin (GER) HTC–Highroad
2012 Richie Porte (AUS) Team Sky
2013 Tony Martin (GER) Omega Pharma–Quick-Step
2014 Michał Kwiatkowski (POL) Omega Pharma–Quick-Step
2015 Geraint Thomas (GBR) Team Sky
2016 Geraint Thomas (GBR) Team Sky
2017 Primož Roglič (SLO) LottoNL–Jumbo
Latest
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'Motorpaced peloton' catches breakaway close to finish as complaints over drafting continue
Complaints about drafting in races have continued after a breakaway was caught at the Volta ao Algarve apparently after the peloton was allowed to draft.
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Cees Bol overpowers Quick-Step with huge sprint on stage three of the Volta ao Algarve 2020
Cees Bol was the first rider to deny Quick-Step in the Volta ao Algarve as he took stage three with a stunning sprint.
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Geraint Thomas continues to lead Volta ao Algarve after Dylan Groenewegen wins stage four
Dylan Groenewegen takes his second stage win of the 2018 Volta ao Algarve as Geraint Thomas leads the race going into Sunday's final stage
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Remco Evenepoel stuns rivals with summit finish victory on stage two of the Volta ao Algarve 2020
The 20-year-old sets himself up for a second overall race victory already this year
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Michal Kwiatkowski wins climbing stage of Volta ao Algarve, as Geraint Thomas takes lead
Team Sky dominate on final climb of stage two of the 2018 Volta ao Algarve, putting Geraint Thomas into the race lead
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Geraint Thomas retains Tour of the Algarve lead as Richie Porte wins stage
Welshman Geraint Thomas looks good for overall victory in the 2015 Volta ao Algarve, which concludes on Sunday
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Dylan Groenewegen continues strong start to season with Volta ao Algarve stage one win
Dutch sprinter Dylan Groenewegen adds to stage win at the Dubai Tour with early race lead in the 2018 Volta ao Algarve
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'I'm not in my best shape yet': Remco Evenepoel obliterates stage five time trial to seal Volta ao Algarve victory
The young Belgian impressed once again as he takes the biggest stage race win of his career so far
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Dan Martin takes his first victory of the season and overall lead at Volta ao Algarve
Dan Martin (Quick-Step Floors) took his first and his team's tenth victory of the season as he moved into the overall lead at the Volta ao Algarve.
