The Portuguese Cycling Federation, organiser of the Volta ao Algarve, unveils the first 18 teams registered for the race which take place from 15 to 19 February 2017. The race will be attended by 24 teams.
The race of the south of Portugal already assured the participation of seven blocks from WorldTour: Astana (KAZ), Bora-hansgrohe (GER), Cannondale-Drapac (USA), Dimension Data (RSA), Katusha-Alpecin (SWI), Lotto Soudal (BEL) and Quick-Step Floors (BEL).
The most international of the Portuguese Cycling events also counts with four Pro Continental teams: The winner of the 2016 Europe Tour, Wanty-Groupe Gobert (BEL), the high level Russian team of 2017, Gazprom-RusVelo, the Spanish Caja Rural-Seguros-RGA and the colombian Manzana Postobón.
The 43rd Volta ao Algarve will be attended by seven Continental teams, the six Portuguese teams of this level and Rally Cycling, from United States of America.
The organization still in contact with WorldTour and ProContinental teams in order to build a final peloton of 24 teams.
In the next few days will be known the final route of the race. But we already know the general profile of the stages. The first stage starts in Albufeira and ends in Lagos, probably with a mass sprint. The second stage, from Lagoa to Fóia, is the first uphill finish of the race. The third stage is an individual time trial of 18 km around Sagres. The sprinters have another chance on the fourth day, a stage between Almodôvar and Tavira. The race will end with the fifth stage, from Loulé to the top of Malhão, the most iconic uphill of Algarve.