Alto da Fóia, place of distinguished stage winners of the Volta ao Algarve, important for the overall… but not necessarily decisive. The second stage will start at Sagres (10:55) and with the climb in the Serra de Monchique waiting for another good cycling show, in a day with 186.3 kilometers.

Tadej Pogacar took his first World Tour team victory there (UAE Team Emirates) in 2019, with Remco Evenepoel winning the following year. Both would win the overall. However, Ethan Hayter and David Gaudu were unable to hold on to the leadership they won at Fóia, in the most recent editions.

The ascent is first category (7.7 kilometers with 6.3% of average slope), but is preceded by a second category – Picota (at 171.2 kilometers) -, where a selection can be made right away. Earlier, there will be the ascent of Casais (80.3) and Alferce (112.3), both third category. The intermediate sprint will be in Monchique (123.6).

Among the candidates for victory and possibly wearing the Yellow Jersey Turismo do Algarve are two portuguese riders: João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) and Rui Costa (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty). But the 49th edition of the Volta ao Algarve is full of good climbers, such as the winner of the last Giro d’Italia, Jai Hindley and his teammate Sergio Higuita (BORA-hansgrohe), who triumphed in Malhão in 2022.

Thymen Arensman and Daniel Martínez (INEOS Grenadiers), Warren Barguil (Arkéa Samsic), Tobias Foss (Jumbo-Visma) and Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo), are other names to take into account.