Belgium’s Alpecin-Deceuninck and France’s Groupama-FDJ are the first teams confirmed for the 51st Volta ao Algarve, a race on the UCI ProSeries circuit, which will take place between 19 and 23 February 2025.

They are two WorldTeam, the top division in world cycling, with a history in the Portuguese race. Groupama-FDJ will be taking part in the Volta ao Algarve for the 16th time, their tenth consecutive appearance. Over the years, the French have been protagonists in the Algarve, with a total of seven stage wins.

Stefan Küng has won the time trial in Lagoa twice (2023 and 2019), David Gaudu has won at the top of Fóia (2022), Benoit Vaugrenard won in Albufeira (2010) and Bernhard Eisel has won the Volta ao Algarve three times, in Tavira (2005), Lagos (2006) and Albufeira (2005).

Alpecin-Deceuninck is a more recent team in the world peloton, with fewer appearances in the Algarve. In 2025 they will compete for the fifth time in the race in the south of the country.

The Belgians are still looking for their first victory in the Portuguese race, but they have already won the mountain classification in 2020, a success signed by Dries de Bondt. Last year, Tobias Bayer was the most combative in the first stage, taking the colours of Alpecin-Deceuninck to the podium in Lagos.

The Volta ao Algarve is the only Portuguese stage race in the ProSeries category. In the last two years, it has been considered the best stage race in the world in this category, according to the ranking on the statistics website ProCyclingStats.

The 2025 edition of the Volta ao Algarve will retain its identity, with a route with stages for all types of riders. There will, however, be significant changes to the route, which will be announced in the coming weeks. These changes are aimed at increasing the spectacle on offer to fans.