Volta ao Algarve

published 7 May 2021

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

'It’s nice to be up there again at the start of the season' – Oscar Onley impresses in debut race for Ineos Grenadiers, narrowly misses out on win

Scot finished fourth overall at Volta ao Algarve and second on final stage behind Juan Ayuso

'The first goal is already achieved, to win a race' – 19-year-old French phenom takes first pro victory, beating João Almeida, Juan Ayuso and Oscar Onley at Volta ao Algarve

Paul Seixas won atop the Alto de Fóia, but Ayuso new GC leader

By Adam Becket Published 19 February 26
Tweets of the week: Disaster at the Volta, Tadej Pogačar's special warm-up, and GB's cyclists go to the footie

Behold the memes from Filippo Ganna's chalked off stage win

By Tom Davidson Published 21 February 25

'It's a joke' - Stage cancelled after peloton goes wrong way in bizarre Volta ao Algarve sprint finish

Safety concerns raised after sprinters follow deviation off course

By Tom Davidson Last updated 19 February 25

5 Comments
Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert impress in Portugal ahead of bigger tests

Evenepoel starts season in fine form ahead of Tour de France debut this summer

By Tom Thewlis Published 19 February 24
Why are teams wearing TT helmets in road races?

Time trial helmets aren't just for time trialling, as Uno-X will testify

By Tom Davidson Published 16 February 24

'Mostly for those in their 40s and 50s': I'm 28 but I still think this stage race has a mad playlist that you need to listen to

With everything from Arcade Fire to Tina Turner, it's got something for everyone - almost. Plus, a lot of Portuguese music

By Adam Becket Published 14 February 24
Five things we learned from an action packed week of stage racing in Europe

Ineos Grenadiers reign in Portugal, Tadej Pogačar might be unstoppable and there's an unexpected winner at Valenciana

By Adam Becket Published 20 February 23
Sam Bennett sprints to stage one victory at Volta ao Algarve 2021 after yet another perfect lead-out

Sam Bennett took the opening stage of the Volta ao Algarve 2021 after his team nailed the timing of the lead-out yet again for their star fast man beating Danny Van Poppel and Jon Aberasturi.

By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published 5 May 21

'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

By Jonny Long Published 23 February 20
Miguel Ángel López takes stage four win as Remco Evenepoel closes in on GC at Volta ao Algarve

The young Belgian has just an individual time trial between him and his second overall victory of the season

By Jonny Long Published 22 February 20
Geraint Thomas gives update on his early-season form

Geraint Thomas says he is already lighter than this time last year, while his power numbers look ‘encouraging.’

By Alex Ballinger Published 18 February 20

Volta ao Algarve start list: Mathieu van der Poel, Rohan Dennis and Vincenzo Nibali set to ride

The Volta ao Algarve is just around the corner and there will be some strong competition in the early season test.

By Alex Ballinger Published 18 February 20
Geraint Thomas wins Volta ao Algarve time trial to increase overall lead

Welshman Geraint Thomas puts in blistering performance to claim stage three of the 2018 Volta ao Algarve and strengthen his race lead

By Nigel Wynn Published 16 February 18
'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.

By Henry Robertshaw Published 20 February 17

'This has to stop!' - Riders slam drafting behind motorbikes in races

Riders have take to Twitter to voice their anger over motorbikes offering a draft to riders in the Ruta del Sol, Volta ao Algarve and Tour of Oman this week.

By Henry Robertshaw Published 17 February 17
Primoz Roglic takes Volta ao Algarve lead as Dan Martin drops out of contention

Primoz Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo) took over the overall lead at the Volta ao Algarve as Dan Martin fell out of overall contention in stage three time trial.

By Henry Robertshaw Published 17 February 17
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.

By Alex Ballinger Published 21 February 20

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

By Nigel Wynn Published 17 February 18
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

By Jonny Long Published 20 February 20
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

By Nigel Wynn Published 15 February 18

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

By Nigel Wynn Published 21 February 15
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

By Nigel Wynn Published 14 February 18
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.

By Henry Robertshaw Published 16 February 17

Fabio Jakobsen pushes past Elia Viviani to take stage one of the Volta ao Algarve 2020

Youth trumped experience in the Volta ao Algarve 2020 as Fabio Jakobsen pushed past Elia Viviani to take stage one.

By Alex Ballinger Published 19 February 20
Geraint Thomas solos to win Tour of the Algarve stage two

Welshman Geraint Thomas takes Volta ao Algarve race lead after stage victory

By Nigel Wynn Published 19 February 15
Alberto Contador wins Tour of Algarve stage four

Michal Kwiatkowski retains overall lead after placing third behind Alberto Contador on mountain stage

By Nigel Wynn Published 22 February 14

Geraint Thomas the penultimate man off in Friday's Volta ao Algarve time trial

The 18km time trial in Sagres will likely not be decisive in the Volta ao Algarve but Geraint Thomas could move into the leader's jersey on stage three

By Stuart Clarke Published 19 February 16
André Greipel wins stage four of Volta ao Algarve in photo finish

André Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) won stage four of the Volta ao Algarve, requiring a photo finish to confirm his victory over John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo).

By Chris Marshall-Bell Published 18 February 17
Cavendish to the Tour of Algarve with Renshaw and Petacchi

Cavendish to once again line up with Mark Renshaw and Alessandro Petacchi - Omega Pharma lead out train to continue at the Tour of Algarve - Five stage race in Portugal has possibly two sprint stages

By Gregor Brown Published 18 February 14

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