The 52nd Volta ao Algarve was officially presented this Tuesday at the headquarters of the Algarve Tourism Region in Faro, during a press conference attended by the main partners and sponsors of the only Portuguese stage race integrated into the ProSeries circuit. The organization revealed the complete route for the 2026 edition and confirmed the presence of several of the top teams in the international peloton, including the leader of the UCI ranking in 2025.
The race will take place between 18 and 22 February 2026, over five stages, covering a total of 697.41 kilometers, in a route that introduces several sporting innovations and promises a more dynamic, competitive, and unpredictable race from the very first day.
Start in Vila Real de Santo António and finish at Alto do Malhão
One of the main innovations in the 2026 edition is the debut of Vila Real de Santo António as the starting location of the Volta ao Algarve. The first stage, on 18 February, links the border town to Tavira, maintaining the tradition of a flat opening stage favorable to sprinters, but introducing a new element already tested in the major Belgian classics: the “golden kilometre,” with three bonus sprints concentrated in just over one kilometre on the cobbled historical main street of the town, creating an unprecedented tactical scenario from the outset of the race.
Here, tradition meets modernity: the cobbles merge with the grouped sprints, producing an explosive and highly televisual tactic. This combination can shake up the race from day one, meaning that the stage winner may not necessarily be the first leader of the Volta ao Algarve.
The 2nd stage runs from Portimão to Alto da Fóia in the Serra de Monchique, marking the first mountain-top finish of the 2026 edition. The main novelty is the use of an entirely new climb, more selective and demanding, with characteristics of a first-category mountain prize. Three “hot spots” will be contested along the way, two of which just before the final ascent.
The third day is dedicated to the Individual Time Trial (ITT), starting and finishing in Vilamoura with a passage through Quarteira. It is a 19.5 km urban time trial, featuring a technical opening section followed by a stretch clearly suited to specialists.
On Saturday, the 4th stage connects Albufeira to Lagos, featuring a 32 km final circuit after an initial passage through the finish line, providing another opportunity for sprinters, but with strategic points that could introduce tension and splits in the peloton.
The 5th and final stage, on Sunday, departs from Faro and finishes at the iconic Alto do Malhão in Loulé. The major innovation here is a double ascent of Malhão, integrated into a 45 km final circuit, a stage that promises to be decisive for the overall classification once again.
Overall, the 2026 edition focuses on a more dynamic race, with the introduction of Hot Spots in several stages, enhancing competitiveness and unpredictability.
“The identity of the Volta ao Algarve stems from its architecture, topography, climate, quality of infrastructure, and the effort of the organizers—factors that explain the high level of participation today. While preserving this success, we aimed to make the Fóia climb more decisive, balancing the battle between climbers and time-trial specialists. This finish, combined with the explosive finale at Malhão and a more technical urban time trial, offers more opportunities for pure climbers. The introduction of the Hot Spot, combining Portuguese naming with a trend in modern cycling, adds novelty, excitement, and early race dynamics in an event often decided by seconds. In the Algarve, the spectacle is always guaranteed,” explains race director Ezequiel Mosquera.
João Almeida and Juan Ayuso in the most anticipated duel
The 52nd Volta ao Algarve will feature a luxury peloton, composed of 12 WorldTour teams, three ProTeams, and nine Portuguese Continental teams.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG, which finished 2025 at the top of the UCI ranking, will be present in the Algarve and brings along its four Portuguese riders: João Almeida, António Morgado, and brothers Rui and Ivo Oliveira.
João Almeida will be one of the main contenders for overall victory, after finishing second in the 2025 edition, at the start of a season that culminated in one of the best of his career, with victories in the Tour of the Basque Country, Tour de Romandie, and Tour de Suisse, in addition to second place in the Vuelta a España.
The 2026 edition will also mark the long-awaited encounter between João Almeida and Juan Ayuso, former teammates and now rivals. This will be their first confrontation since the Spanish rider left UAE Team Emirates-XRG for Lidl-Trek, one of the strongest teams in the race.
There is also great anticipation for the debut in Portugal of Paul Seixas, a 19-year-old talent from Decathlon CMA CGM Team, considered one of the greatest prospects in international cycling, having already finished third at the last European Championship. He is regarded by many as the next French rider capable of winning the Tour.
Other confirmed or expected stars include Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost), Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling Team), Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers), and Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Intermarché), among other world-class peloton names.
An excellent product to promote the Algarve
Beyond the sporting aspect, the Volta ao Algarve is a top tourism product, promoting the region nationally and internationally through five days of racing across diverse landscapes, attracting thousands of spectators.
André Gomes, President of Turismo do Algarve:
“The Volta ao Algarve is an excellent showcase for the destination, given its international dimension and extensive visibility in multiple strategic markets. Beyond the sporting spectacle, the race strengthens the Algarve’s positioning as a territory ready to host major events and helps attract visitors even outside peak season.”
Cândido Barbosa, President of the Portuguese Cycling Federation:
“In an atypical year, marked by local elections, on-the-ground work necessarily started later. Nevertheless, we ensured the introduction of several innovations that make the race more interesting from a sporting perspective. The new partnership with Eme Sports represents an important step in making the Volta ao Algarve even more professional and aligned with current times.”
RTP and Eurosport ensure global coverage
All stages of the Volta ao Algarve will be broadcast live on RTP2 and RTP Play in Portugal. International distribution is handled by Warner Bros. Discovery, through Eurosport and HBO Max, reaching an estimated 14.8 million households worldwide.
In 2025, the Volta ao Algarve achieved a record global impact of €36.5 million, according to a study by the University of Algarve and Cision. The direct economic impact in the region was €8.6 million, while media coverage generated €27.9 million.
The race registered 1,525 news items, 56.9 million media impressions, was broadcast in 78 countries, and generated over 4.5 million social media impressions. The Algarve brand achieved more than €24 million in media value.
Algarve Granfondo in Lagos
As in previous years, the 52nd edition of the Volta ao Algarve will include the Algarve Granfondo on 21 February, offering an immersive journey through the most authentic and lesser-known landscapes of the Algarve interior, with participants able to choose between the 130 km Granfondo or the 90 km Mediofondo.
Starting in Lagos, over 1,000 amateur cyclists are expected for this popular participation event within the Volta ao Algarve program.
Stages of the Volta ao Algarve in detail
1st Stage: Vila Real de Santo António/Tavira
Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Distance: 185.60 km | Elevation: 2,359 m
Start: Av. da República, Vila Real de Santo António – 10:00
Finish: Av. Zeca Afonso – 16:27 (estimated)
Description:
The opening stage follows the classic Volta ao Algarve formula: predominantly flat, with wind as a factor, and a predictable sprint finish. But appearances are deceptive… The main novelty is the introduction of a feature tested in the Belgian classics: the “golden kilometre,” with three bonus sprints in just 1.5 km on the cobbled historic main street of Vila Real de Santo António.
This key point of the race merges tradition with modernity, creating an explosive, highly televisual tactical scenario, which may make the stage winner not necessarily the first leader of the Volta ao Algarve.
2nd Stage: Portimão/Alto da Fóia (Monchique)
Thursday, 19 February 2026
Distance: 157.10 km | Elevation: 3,154 m
Start Concentration: Zona Ribeirinha – Clube Naval (Portimão) – 11:00
Start: Av. Capitão Fernandes Leão Pacheco
Finish: Alto da Fóia (Monchique) – 16:29 (best time)
Description:
The Fóia climb is decisive.
For the first time, a climb suitable for high mountain racing has been located for this iconic finish. This year, an entirely new ascent is introduced, classified as a first-category mountain prize: 8.5 km with sustained sections at 14%, featuring tight hairpin turns reminiscent of Italian high mountains.
The stage will include a preliminary hill seven km before the final climb, with a Hot Spot in between granting 6, 4, and 2 seconds in bonuses across two sprint points, the last located three km before the final ascent. The stage may not decide the overall winner but will clearly mark riders out of the GC battle.
3rd Stage: Vilamoura/Vilamoura – Individual Time Trial (ITT) – 19.5 km
Friday, 20 February 2026
Distance: 19.51 km | Elevation: 147 m
Start: Marina de Vilamoura – 13:10 (provisional)
Finish: Av. Eng. João Meireles
Description:
Urban time trials always pose a major organizational challenge. The course starts with two technical kilometers followed by 15 km favoring specialists, testing both power and technique.
4th Stage: Albufeira/Lagos
Saturday, 21 February 2026
Distance: 182.10 km | Elevation: 2,038 m
Start: Av. dos Descobrimentos, Albufeira
Finish: Av. dos Descobrimentos, Lagos – 16:29 (best time)
Description:
This stage is tailor-made for sprinters, with only one third-category climb. A Hot Spot in Aljezur, with two bonus sprints in one km, may provoke minor splits.
5th Stage: Faro/Alto do Malhão (Loulé)
Sunday, 22 February 2026
Distance: 153.10 km | Elevation: 3,264 m
Start Concentration: Largo São Francisco, Faro – 11:00
Start: Largo da Sé, Faro
Finish: Alto do Malhão – 16:29 (best time)
Description:
The final stage features the iconic Malhão climb, short but explosive, with a final circuit designed to decide the race. Following a sprint in Alte, riders tackle the double ascent of Malhão, a historic, challenging climb with passionate spectators, providing all the ingredients to determine the overall winner.