The 52nd Volta ao Algarve, taking place from February 18 to 22, will once again feature a world-class peloton, confirming the race’s status as one of the most prestigious events on the ProSeries calendar. With 24 teams confirmed, the peloton will be led by 12 WorldTeams, bringing some of the world’s best cyclists to the roads of the Algarve.
The provisional entry list confirms several highly anticipated names, starting with the Portuguese quartet from UAE Team Emirates-XRG. The world’s top-ranked team of 2025 arrives in the Algarve with João Almeida, a primary contender for the overall victory following his second-place finish in 2025—a stellar season in which he also finished runner-up in the Vuelta a España. He is joined by twins Ivo and Rui Oliveira and the rising star António Morgado.
One of the most awaited moments will be the debut of Juan Ayuso in Lidl-Trek colours. The Spaniard will make his first appearance in the race, marking his first face-off against his former team. He will be accompanied by Derek Gee-West, who finished fourth in the last Giro d’Italia and stands as one of the major signings among the WorldTour ranks this season.
Confirmation has also arrived for Paul Seixas, one of the greatest prospects in world cycling, who will compete for the first time in Portugal, a country where he has roots. A key addition for Decathlon CMA CGM Team is Matthew Riccitello, who finished fifth in the last Vuelta and returns to the Algarve for the first time since 2021.
INEOS Grenadiers arrives in the Algarve with a formidable line-up. Besides Filippo Ganna, runner-up in 2023 and a regular presence in the race, the British squad will feature their two main reinforcements for the new season: Oscar Onley and Kévin Vauquelin. Notably, Thymen Arensman returns after a year in which he claimed two stage victories at the Tour de France.
At Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, Florian Lipowitz is the standout name. The 25-year-old German will debut in the Algarve following a season where he finished third in the Tour de France. He will be joined by Daniel Martínez, the 2023 winner who has reached the podium in every appearance at the “Algarvia”, as well as Jan Tratnik (third in 2024) and Jordi Meeus, a stage winner in 2025.
The list further includes stars such as Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) – the former Giro d’Italia winner whose only previous appearance in the Algarve was in 2017 – and double World Champion Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling Team). Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step), the rider with the second-most victories in 2025, will also be present, alongside young talents Arnaud De Lie and Jarno Widar (Lotto Intermarché).
Although not on the initial provisional entry list—as names can and often do change before the start—one final name deserves a special mention. Alpecin-Premier Tech confirmed this Wednesday that Jasper Philipsen will be at the start of the 52nd Volta ao Algarve. This marks the return of one of the world’s best sprinters to the race, where he last competed in 2019.
Participating Teams
WorldTeams: Alpecin-Premier Tech (Belgium), Decathlon CMA CGM Team (France), EF Education-EasyPost (USA), Ineos Grenadiers (Great Britain), Lidl-Trek (Germany), Lotto Intermarché (Belgium), NSN Cycling Team (Switzerland), Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe (Germany), Soudal Quick-Step (Belgium), Team Jayco AlUla (Australia), Team Picnic PostNL (Netherlands) and UAE Team Emirates XRG (UAE).
ProTeams: Caja Rural-Seguros RGA (Spain), Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team (Switzerland) and Tudor Pro Cycling Team (Switzerland).
Continental Teams: Anicolor/Campicarn (Portugal), Aviludo-Louletano-Loulé (Portugal), Credibom/LA Alumínios/Marcos Car (Portugal), Efapel Cycling (Portugal), Feira dos Sofás-Boavista (Portugal), Feirense Beeceler (Portugal), Gi Group Holding Simoldes-UDO (Portugal), Tavfer-Ovos Matinados-Mortágua (Portugal) and Team Tavira (Portugal).
Stages
18/02 | Vila Real de Santo António – Tavira | 183.5 km | 12:00-16:27
19/02 | Portimão – Alto da Fóia | 147.2 km | 12:45-16:25
20/02 | Vilamoura – Vilamoura (ITT) | 19.5 km | 13:05 (provisional)
21/02 | Albufeira – Lagos | 175.1 km | 11:00-15:20
22/02 | Faro – Alto do Malhão | 148.4 km | 12:05-15:42
Check the provisional start list HERE.