The 44th Volta ao Algarve (14-18 February 2018) will be attended by 13 WorldTour teams, a record in the Portuguese race that received 12 first division teams in each one of the last two editions.

The peloton of the Volta ao Algarve will have 25 teams of 7 riders. The best six teams of the 2017 World Ranking will be at the start: Team Sky (GBR), Quick-Step Floors (BEL), BMC Racing Team (USA), Team Sunweb (GER), Trek-Segafredo (USA) and Movistar Team (ESP). The other WorldTour teams confirmed are Bora-hansgrohe (GER), FDJ (FRA), Lotto NL-Jumbo (NED), Lotto Soudal (BEL), Team Dimension Data (RSA), Team Katusha Alpecin (SUI) and UAE Team Emirates (UAE).

The Portuguese Cycling Federation, organizer of the event, also selected three Continental Professional teams, between the fifteen candidates. The Wanty-Groupe Gobert (BEL) and the Cofidis, Solutions Crédits (FRA) was choosen because of their top positions on the 2017  Europe Tour Teams Ranking. The Caja Rural-Seguros RGA (ESP) secured a place on the peloton because it is the traditional entance door on the international peloton for the Portuguese cyclists.

The Portuguese Cycling Federation decided to offer na opportunity to the local teams to fight against the best teams in the World. So all the nine Portuguese teams of the continental level will be present: Aviludo-Louletano, Efapel, LA Alumínios, Liberty Seguros-Carglass, Miranda-Mortágua, Rádio Popular-Boavista, Sporting-Tavira, Vito-Feirense-BlackJack and W52-FC Porto.

Traditional route
The route will offer chances to all kind of cyclists. The sprinters will be under the focus during the first stage, 192,6 km from Albufeira to Lagos. The climbers and all the GC riders must show their condition in the second stage, 187,9 km from Sagres to Fóia. The stage ends on the highest point of Algarve, after a climb of 15,2 km with 5 per cent of medium gradient.

The individual time trial of 20,3 km will arrive on the third day, in Lagoa. It will be more demanding than the last years time trials. The sprinters will have another chance to shine in the fourth stage, the longest trip, 199,2 km from Almodôvar to Tavira.

The 44th Volta ao Alagarve will end at the iconic top of Malhão (in Loulé), after 173,5 journey from Faro. The last three kilometers may decide the race with its almost 10 per cent of medium gradient.

Live TV Broadcast
The Volta ao Algarve will have live television broadcast for the second year in a row. The race will be broadcasted by Eurosport to more than 50 countries. In Portugal the race also can be seen on TVI24.

Stages
February 14: 1st Stage: Albufeira – Lagos, 192,6 km
February 15: 2nd Stage: Sagres – Fóia (Monchique), 187,9 km
February 16: 3rd Stage: Lagoa – Lagoa, 20,3 km (ITT)
February 17: 4th Stage: Almodôvar – Tavira, 199,2 km
February 18: 5th Stage: Faro – Malhão (Loulé), 173,5 km

Last winners
2017 – Primoz Roglic (Team Lotto NL-Jumbo)
2016 – Geraint Thomas (Sky)
2015 – Geraint Thomas (Sky)
2014 – Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-QuickStep)
2013 – Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-QuickStep)
2012 – Richie Porte (Sky)
2011 – Tony Martin (HTC-Highroad)
2010 – Alberto Contador (Astana)
2009 – Alberto Contador (Astana)
2008 – Stijn Devolder (QuickStep)