44ªEdition, Volta ao Algarve
Cycling, in its high splendor, between the 14th and 18th of February.
Good clime, spectacular landscapes and impressive routes are several factors that contribute to the choice of the Algarve, which already runs through the 44th Edition. There are five stages and a total of 773.5 kilometers for this great European Cycling Event. For the second consecutive year will be a 2.HC competition, the top category outside of WorldTour. The five rounds of the competition will have similar characteristics to the stages of previous years.
The sprinters will have two opportunities to shine, as many as the high arrivals, which will allow the climbers to take their place as candidates for the yellow jersey. Counter-cyclists may also aspire to triumph, as there will be an individual counter-clock, which may mark some differences.
Among the two dozen teams that have already guaranteed their presence in the Algarve, which runs from February 14 to 18, 2018, the nine of WorldTour, the first international division, stand out.
The BMC Racing Team (United States), who has not visited the Algarve since 2012, is back, while Team Sunweb (Germany), the world title-winning team and UAE Team Emirates (UAE) . Bora-hansgrohe (Germany), Lotto Soudal (Belgium), Quick-Step Floors (Belgium), Team Dimension Data (South Africa), Team Katusha Alpecin (Switzerland) and Team Lotto NL-Jumbo of the World Tour already confirmed.
On the other hand, big stars of the cycling will be present in this edition especially elements of BMC Racing Team and others of Trek-Segafredo.
The Australian Simon Gerrans will be BMC's bet for the stages with the final sprint, while Swiss champion Stefan Kung, counter-clock champion and runner-up, will have the counter-clock Lagoa in focus. Belgians Jurgen Roelandts and Loïc Vliegen close BMC's choices for the Tour of the Algarve.
"Trek-Segafredo's provisional roster of people based in the United States of America can target the overall standings and still be beaten for each run. The team also comes up with two riders who can fight for the top places: Portuguese defending champion Rúben Guerreiro, who was ninth in the Tour Down Under and Dutchman Bauke Mollema, the team leader for the next Tour de France, who in 2017 placed himself in the top 10 in six World Tour: Abu Dhabi (4th), Tirreno-Adriatico (9th), Giro (7th), San Sebastian Classics (3rd), Montréal GP (5th) and Tour de Guangxi (2nd), in addition to having triumphed in the Vuelta a San Juan. "
For the stages you can consult all of them here:
- 14th of February: 1st Stage: Albufeira - Lagos, 192.6 km
- 15th of February: 2nd Stage: Sagres - Fóia (Monchique), 187,9 km
- 16th of February: 3rd Stage: Lagoa - Lagoa, 20,3 km (CRI)
- 17th of February: 4th Stage: Almodôvar - Tavira, 199,2 km
- February 18: 5th Stage: Faro - Malhão (Loulé), 173.5 km
With special affection, we look forward to the Tavira Stage, on February 17, from Almodovar to Tavira, which has a total of 199.2 km.
More information here: http://voltaaoalgarve.com/en/volta-ao-algarve-announces-2018-host-cities/
Abilio Bikes Shop & Rentals is already in countdown to this great event!
Road Bikes Challenge, Algarve, High Cycling.
