The 48th Volta ao Algarve, which will be held between February 16 and 20, was presented today in Faro, at the headquarters of Algarve Tourism Board. It will be another high-level edition, consolidating the status of the Portuguese race as one of the best on the UCI ProSeries circuit.
174 riders are registered, representing 25 teams, ten of which are WorldTeam, the top of the world pyramid. Among the cyclists announced by the teams are 25 from the world top 100, one of the best records ever for the Volta ao Algarve.
The race route, with a total of 795.8 kilometres, is divided into five stages that cover most of the Algarve region. Besides the territorial coverage, it is a route with an enormous sporting breadth: two stages are designed for sprinters, two stages will end in mountains to give opportunities to climbers and there is also an individual time trial, just to likes of specialists.
This varied route has attracted a very valuable batch of cyclists, who will be able to express themselves in each of the specialities. The sprinters will be able to shine in the first and third stages – Portimão – Lagos, 199.1 km, and Almodôvar – Faro, 209.1 km, respectively. The lot of fast men in the 48.ª Volta ao Algarve counts with some of the world’s greatest specialists: Alexander Kristoff (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux), Bryan Coquard (Cofidis), Fabio Jakobsen (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team), Hugo Hofstetter (Team Arkéa-Samsic), Jordi Meeus (Bora-hansgrohe), Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo), Pascal Ackermann (UAE Team Emirates) and Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Fenix).
The general classification decisions are due to go through three stages. The second, which starts in Albufeira and finishes in Alto da Fóia (Monchique), after riding 182.4 kilometres, the fourth, an individual time trial of 32.2 kilometres, between Vila Real de Santo António and Tavira, and the fifth, 173 kilometres, between Lagoa and Alto do Malhão (Loulé).
The batch of time trialists, climbers and complete riders registered gives us hints about the riders who will be fighting for the Yellow Jersey and the decisive stages. Among the favourites are Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates), David Gaudu and Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ), Ethan Hayter, Geraint Thomas and Michal Kwiatkowski (INEOS Grenadiers), Ion Izaguirre (Cofidis), Joseph Dombrowski (Astana Qazaqstan Team), Mattia Cattaneo and Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team), Sergio Higuita (Bora-hansgrohe), Tobias Foss (Jumbo-Visma) and Warren Barguil (Team Arkéa-Samsic).
The Volta ao Algarve is also usually the moment to reveal young talents to the World. In 2022 there are some cyclists that deserve to be followed with attention. First of all the Olympic XCO champion and world cyclocross champion, Thomas Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers), but also the under-23 road race world champion Filippo Baroncini (Trek-Segafredo), Ide Schelling (Bora-hansgrohe) and a very promising trio from Jumbo-Visma, formed by sprinter Olav Kooij, Mick van Dijke and Michel Hessmann.
Another reason for interest is the opportunity to see national cyclists representing foreign teams in Portugal. In 2022 it will happen with the track medalists Ivo and Rui Oliveira (UAE Team Emirates), another track star, Iúri Leitão (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), and André Carvalho (Cofidis).
The Volta ao Algarve is also the opportunity for Portuguese teams to ride side by side with the big international stars. After João Rodrigues (W52-FC Porto) victory in the 2021 edition and Rafael Reis (Glassdrive-Q8-Anicolor) performance in the time trial of the same year, renewed ambition is expected from Portugal’s ten continental teams in 2022.
Route
February 16: 1st stage: Portimão – Lagos, 199.1 km
February 17: 2nd stage: Albufeira – Fóia (Monchique), 182.4 km
February 18: 3rd stage: Almodôvar – Faro, 209.1 km
February 19: 4th stage: Vila Real de Santo António – Tavira, 32.2 km (CRI)
February 20: 5th stage: Lagoa – Malhão (Loulé), 173 km
Teams
WorldTeams: Astana Qazaqstan Team, Bora-hansgrohe, Cofidis, Groupama-FDJ, INEOS Grenadiers, Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux, Jumbo-Visma, Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team, Trek-Segafredo and UAE Team Emirates.
ProTeams: Alpecin-Fenix, Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, Euskaltel-Euskadi, Human Powered Health and Team Arkéa-Samsic
Continental Teams: ABTF-Feirense, Atum General-Tavira-AP Maria Nova Hotel, Aviludo-Louletano-Loulé Concelho, Efapel Cycling, Glassdrive-Q8-Anicolor, Kelly-Simoldes-UDO, LA Alumínios-Credibom-Marcos Car, Rádio Popular-Paredes-Boavista, Tavfer-Mortágua-Ovos Matinados and W52-FC Porto