The 51st edition of the Volta ao Algarve, to be held between 19 and 23 February 2025, will have a renewed route, seeking to create new reasons for sporting interest to attract even more fans to the region and to increase television audiences.
The best race in the world on the UCI ProSeries circuit for the 2023 and 2024 seasons will maintain the concept of offering stages for all types of riders, but it will be betting on new solutions on a route where the starting and finishing places of the stages are the same as in previous years. The solutions now found demonstrate the region’s versatility in adapting to the different needs of all those who use bicycles, whether to train, compete, commute or enjoy leisure time.
As far as high performance is concerned, the 51st Volta ao Algarve promises strong emotions right up to the last pedal strokes, which will once again end at the top of Malhão, in the municipality of Loulé, but for the first time in a time trial. A completely new stage has also been created with the finish in Faro and the arrival in Fóia, Monchique, will be more demanding than in recent years.
It all starts in Portimão, where the race will kick off on the 19th. From the riverside area of Portimão, the cyclists head to Lagos, where a thrilling sprint finish is expected on the Avenida dos Descobrimentos, sealing off the first 190 kilometres of the race.
The first big news comes the following day. The second stage starts in Lagoa, runs for 177.6 kilometres and finishes at the highest point in the Algarve, Fóia, in the municipality of Monchique. In contrast to what has been happening, the final climb is up the northern slope of the mountain, with more steep gradients and some more difficult sections. The climb to the finish line is 8.4 kilometres long. The most devastating part of the climb, with an average gradient of around 10 per cent over one kilometre, is 3.5 kilometres from the finish. In addition, climbing Fóia on this slope leads to the Pomba ascent, the high point of which is only 3100 metres from the first Fóia ramps.
The third day sees the return of the sprinters and the end of the points of greatest similarity with previous editions of the race. The caravan sets off from Vila Real de Santo António for a 183.5 kilometre journey that will end in Tavira, a town that has graced the Volta ao Algarve with enthusiastic crowds eager to see the world’s best sprinters in action.
The fourth stage is the great unknown of this Tour of the Algarve. It’s designed so that anything can happen. Literally. The route allows some sprinters to try and get past the difficulties and fight for the win, but it also doesn’t close the door to an attack from the classics specialists and could also be a bait for the men fighting for the overall to play their cards. It will be a 175.2 kilometre stage between Albufeira and Faro. The three mountain passes placed in the final 50 kilometres are the ingredient that allows you to expect emotion and uncertainty, the fundamental condiments of sport.
The biggest surprise is in store for the final day. The traditional arrival at the top of Malhão will be different this time. It will take place in an individual time trial system, allowing the large public to watch the riders pass, one by one, for almost three consecutive hours of spectacle and proximity to the idols.
The closing time trial of the 51st Volta ao Algarve starts in Salir and finishes in Alto do Malhão. It will be 19.6 kilometres long. The first 17,000 metres are essentially flat. The last 2,600 are uphill, with an average gradient of 9.2 per cent.
At the end of the five stages, the cyclists will have covered 745.9 kilometres, with a total accumulated climb of 11,795 metres.
UAE Team Emirates and Tudor Pro Cycling confirmed
In recent weeks, we have announced nine teams already guaranteed a place in the 2025 squad. Today we can announce two more, both with strong links to Portugal. We’re talking about the team number one in the world ranking, UAE Team Emirates, which includes Portuguese riders António Morgado, Ivo Oliveira, João Almeida and Rui Oliveira. And also the Swiss team Tudor Pro Cycling, whose directors include the Portuguese Ricardo Scheidecker.
Portuguese teams that become continental will also be invited, with nine expected in this case. In the next few days we will announce the other international teams that will complete a line-up that, once again, will be of a high international standard.
Confirmed Teams
WorldTeams: Alpecin-Deceuninck (BEL), Bahrain Victorious (BAH), EF Education-EasyPost (USA), Groupama-FDJ (FRA), INEOS Grenadiers (GBR), Intermarché-Wanty (BEL), Team dsm-firmenich PostNL (NED), UAE Team Emirates (UAE)
ProTeams: Caja Rural-Seguros RGA (ESP), Lotto (BEL), Tudor Pro Cycling (SUI)