Algarve João Rodrigues is a last-minute drop-off for the Volta ao Algarve

Algarve will gather, in the coming days, the attention of cycling lovers

Photo: Nelson Inácio | Sul Informação

After all, the Algarve's João Rodrigues (W52-FC Porto) will not participate in the Volta ao Algarve, which will take place from the 16th to the 20th of February. The runner will not be able to fight for the revalidation of the title won last year. 

Even so, the Algarve will gather, in the coming days, the attention of cycling lovers.

After a year in which the contingencies of the pandemic threw it into May, Volta ao Algarve returns to the traditional date and brings together, once again, a luxury squad. 25 teams are registered: ten WorldTeams, five ProTeams and the ten Portuguese continental formations.

Despite the absence of João Rodrigues, the riders who accompanied the Algarve on the podium last year will be present, Ethan Hayter (INEOS Grenadiers) and Kasper Asgreen (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team), as well as the winners of the 2020 editions, Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team), 2015 and 2016, Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers), among many others.

In a race that is expected to be extremely competitive, there are several riders who have already won triumphs in UCI events this season, a sign that they arrive in good condition.

This is the case of recent Colombian champions Sergio Higuita (Bora-hansgrohe), and time trial, Daniel Martinez (INEOS Grenadiers), but also Fabio Jakobsen (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team), Bryan Coquard (Cofidis), Alexander Kristoff (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux) and Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates).

The list of international stars with the ability to fight for the general also includes two-time European time trial champion Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ), and teammate David Gaudu, Joseph Dombrowski (Astana Qazaqstan Team), Ion Izaguirre (Cofidis) , Tobias Foss (Jumbo-Visma) or Warren Barguil (Team Arkéa-Samsic). In addition to the sprinters who have already won in 2022, Jordi Meeus (Bora-hansgrohe), Tim Merlier (Alpecin Fenix) and Hugo Hofstetter (Team Arkéa-Samsic) deserve attention.

The peloton is further enriched by titleholders in the absolute category in off-road disciplines. This is the case of the British Thomas Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers), Olympic XCO (BTT) champion and world cyclocross champion, but also of the Portuguese Rui Oliveira (UAE Team Emirates), current elite European champion in Scratch (track cycling).

The Gaiense will be one of the four Portuguese who represent foreign teams that will compete in the Algarve. The others are Ivo Oliveira (UAE Team Emirates), Iúri Leitão (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) and André Carvalho (Cofidis).

A squad of this quality will be a challenge but also a motivation for the ten mainland Portuguese teams, who will race with the best weapons at their disposal at the beginning of the season, in order to also be protagonists in an event with strong national and international media coverage. The Volta ao Algarve will be broadcast live on CMTV and Eurosport 2, between 16 pm and 00 pm, will be broadcast in more than 17 countries (via Eurosport and GCN platform) and will be accompanied on the ground by more than 00 media professionals.

Steps

February 16: Portimão (12:15 pm) – Lagos (17:10 pm), 199,1 km
February 17: Albufeira (12:50 pm) – Fóia (17:20 pm), 182,4 km
February 18: Almodôvar (12:05 pm) – Faro (17:15 pm), 211,4 km
February 19: Vila Real de Santo António – Tavira, 32,2 km Time trial. First cyclist leaves Vila Real de Santo António at 14:00 pm. The last one (yellow jersey) arrives in Tavira at 17:30 pm.
February 20: Lagoa (13:00 pm) – Alto do Malhão (17:15 pm), 173 km

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