Omega Pharma-QuickStep today confirmed the presence of British Mark Cavendish, world champion in 2011 and one of the best sprinters in the history of the sport, in the 39th edition of the Volta ao Algarve by bicycle.
In this way, Mark Cavendish joins other strong names in the Belgian team, such as the German Tony Martin, two-time time trial world champion and winner of the Volta ao Algarve in 2011, and the French champion in the fight against the chronometer, Sylvain Chavanel.
At 27, Mark Cavendish has over 100 victories in his record, 36 of which in stages of the great laps (23 in Tour, 10 in Giro and 3 in Vuelta).
He is, at this moment, the most victorious runner of 2013, having already had six victories, including four consecutive stages and the final overall of the Tour of Qatar.
In 2012 he made Tour history by becoming the first cyclist to win the famous Champs Elysees final stage in four consecutive editions. In this regard, remember, Cavendish was elected in 2012 by L'Équipe newspaper as the best sprinter in the history of the Tour.
In addition to Mark Cavendish, Tony Martin and Sylvain Chavanel, Omega Pharma-QuickStep completes its formation for the Algarve with the following elements: Dries Devenyns, Gert Steegmans, Iljo Keisse, Michal Kwiatkowski and Nikolas Maes.
They are confirmed for the Volta ao Algarve 20 teams and the Angolan national team. Eight ProTeams stand out, the first international division: Blanco Pro Cycling (Netherlands), Euskaltel-Euskadi (Spain), Movistar Team (Spain), Omega Pharma-Quick Step (Belgium), RadioShack-Leopard (United States), Team Saxo -Tinkoff (Denmark), Sky (UK) and Vacansoleil-DCM (Netherlands).
In the group of participating teams there are also five of continental professional category: Caja Rural (Spain), Colombia (Colombia), Team Katusha (Russia), Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise (Belgium) and UnitedHealthcare (United States).
The six continental Portuguese groups are also present: Carmim-Tavira (Portugal), Efapel-Glassdrive (Portugal), LA Alumínios-Antarte (Portugal), Louletano-Dunas Douradas (Portugal), OFM-Quinta da Lixa (Portugal) and Rádio Popular -Onda (Portugal), as well as the An Post-Chainreaction continental formation (Belgium). Angola's national team is also a confirmed presence on the Algarve's roads.
The 39th edition of the Volta ao Algarve runs from the 14th to the 17th of February, throughout four steps:
1st Stage: February 14th – Faro / Albufeira – 198,8 km
2nd Stage: February 15th – Lagoa / Lagoa – 195,0 km
3rd Stage: 16th of February – Portimão / Alto do Malhão – 193 km
4th Stage: February 17th – Castro Marim / Tavira – 34,8 km
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