Alto da Foia brought the first serious test for the climbers participating in the Volta ao Algarve, and opened Pandora’s box in terms of the fight for the General Classification.
Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) came out on top in the battle with Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) and João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates XRG), but it was Ayuso who left the highest point in the Algarve wearing the Yellow Jersey – Turismo do Algarve.
Individual effort in Vilamoura, one of the new features of the 52nd Volta ao Algarve
However, the margins are, at least for now, minimal: Seixas has the same time as Ayuso, and João Almeida is third overall, seven seconds behind his two rivals. Therefore, Friday’s stage, an individual time trial, is important in the fight for the final victory.
One of the new features of this 52nd edition of the Algarve Tour is that the city of Vilamoura will host the individual effort of this third stage of the Algarve Tour.
2ª Etapa Portimão-Fóia (Monchique) 147,2Km, 19.02.2026 da 52ª Volta ao Algarve, de 18 a 22 de Fevereiro de 2026 Foto: Rodrigo Rodrigues/ FPC
On a flat 19.5-kilometer course, the cyclists will start from Vilamoura Marina, pass through Quarteira, and finish on Avenida Engenheiro João Meireles.
Ganna and Küng, candidates to steal the show
But it won’t just be the overall favorites in the spotlight this afternoon. In such a high-quality peloton competing in this Volta ao Algarve, there are two names that stand out from the group that could climb onto the podium as stage winners at the end of the day: Filipo Ganna, from INEOS Grenadiers, and Stefan Küng, from Tudor Pro Cycling Team.
Both are among the greatest time trial specialists in world cycling and will certainly have legitimate aspirations to steal the show in Vilamoura.
The time trial starts at 1:11 p.m., and Francisco Pereira, from Feirense Beeceler, is the first rider to hit the road. Filippo Ganna starts pedaling at 2:26 p.m., Stefan Küng at 2:45 p.m. The top 10 will be in action at 3:47 p.m., with João Almeida (4:01 p.m.), Paul Seixas (4:03 p.m.), and Juan Ayuso (4:05 p.m.) standing out.
You can follow the race here.