The 39th edition of the Volta ao Algarve, which starts today and runs until February 17th, brings to Portugal a platoon of high international level. Among the 21 teams present, there are eight teams from the world's first division, who present themselves with some of the best runners on the planet.
The Volta ao Algarve squad has 16 top 100 runners of the WorldTour, one of which in the top 10 (Portuguese Rui Costa) and three in the top 20 (Rui Costa, Rigoberto Urán and Sergio Henao).
The Algarve receives cyclists from four continents: Africa, America, Europe and Oceania.
Among the participants, there are runners from 23 countries: Portugal (44), Belgium (24), Spain (24), Colombia (9), Angola (8), Russia (8), Great Britain (7), Netherlands (7), Germany (6), United States of America (6), Italy (6), Denmark (3), Ireland (3), Netherlands Antilles (1), Argentina (1), Australia (1), Belarus (1), Chile (1), Slovenia (1) , France (1), New Zealand (1), Poland (1), Czech Republic (1) and Uruguay (1).
The list of candidates for triumph end is extensive. The winner of the 2011 edition and world time trial champion, the German Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-QuickStep), is one of the main aspirants to triumph. In addition to the German, we must count on the Portuguese Rui Costa (Movistar) and Tiago Machado (RadioShack-Leopard).
Dutchman Lieuwe Westra (Vacansoleil-DCM), Belgian Thomas de Gendt, from the same team, Russian Denis Menchov (Katusha), German Andreas Klöden (RadioShack-Leopard) and Colombians Sergio Henao and Rigoberto Urán (Sky) and Darwin Atapuma (Colombia) also have legitimate aspirations in the yellow sweater.
In addition to the men fighting for the overall classification, the competition's squad is filled with big names. This is the case of Briton Mark Cavendish – an unavoidable name in world cycling and the most victorious runner in 2013, having already won six victories, including four consecutive stages and the final overall in the Tour of Qatar –, of Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel – French champion in the fight against the stopwatch -, both from Omega Pharma-QuickStep.
A inaugural step will call Faro to Albufeira, over 198,8 kilometers. The third category mountain count, installed in the middle of the trip, should not be an obstacle for the decision to take place on the ramps that precede the goal, where the selection of men who will discuss the triumph in the quick approach to the goal is usually made. arrival.
A second taken, starting and ending in Lagoa, leads the peloton to cover 195 kilometers, with two mountain counts – one in the third category and the other in the second category, this one in Fóia – whose placement, in the first half of the race, should allow the sprinters to push for the your gallons at the end of the journey.
Ao third day the runners will travel 193 kilometers between Portimão and the top of Malhão, with the goal coinciding with a second-rate mountain prize.
In addition to waiting for a first screening in the fight for the yellow jersey, this day is expected to be a celebration in the region, as it is the queen stage and is disputed at the weekend, which should captivate a lot of public, both that cyclists go up the tough slopes of Malhão twice, which are only 2,5 kilometers long, but whose average incline is ten percent.
Decisions are saved for the last day, when the long and selective time trial, which will connect Castro Marim and Tavira, in an extension of 34,8 kilometers.
The 39th edition of Volta ao Algarve also features as a novelty the presence of Angola's cycling team.
Stages of the 39th Round of the Algarve:
1ª Etapa: February 14th - Faro / Albufeira – 198,8 km
2st Stage: February 15th – Lagoa / Lagoa – 195,0 km
3st Stage: February 16 – Portimão / Alto do Malhão – 193 km
4st Stage: February 17th – Castro Marim / Tavira – 34,8 km
List of participating teams:
ProTeams: Blanco Pro Cycling (Netherlands), Euskaltel-Euskadi (Spain), Movistar Team (Spain), Omega Pharma-Quick Step (Belgium), RadioShack-Leopard (United States), Team Saxo-Tinkoff (Denmark), Sky (United Kingdom) and Vacansoleil-DCM (Netherlands).
Professional Continentals: Caja Rural (Spain), Colombia (Colombia), Team Katusha (Russia), Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise (Belgium) and UnitedHealthcare (United States).
Continentals: Carmim-Tavira (Portugal), Efapel-Glassdrive (Portugal), LA Alumínios-Antarte (Portugal), Louletano-Dunas Douradas (Portugal), OFM-Quinta da Lixa (Portugal), Rádio Popular-Onda (Portugal) and An Post- Chainreaction (Belgium).
Selections: Angola
Learn More here the full list of participants on this 39th Tour to the Algarve.
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