The 43rd edition of the 2.HC race will take place between 15-19 February.
Algarve is not only one of the most beautiful and picturesque regions of Portugal, with a variety of enchanting and breathtaking landscapes, but it's also home to one of the country's finest races, Volta ao Algarve, which Quick-Step Floors have won on three occasions (2008, 2013, 2014), racking up 11 stage victories in the process with 8 different riders.
This year's edition is sure to be one of the most difficult and testing in recent history, despite the fact that the sprinters are expected to cut the lion's share on the first (Lagos) and the fourth day (Tavira). Alto da Fóia (highest point of the race, at 902 meters) and the iconic Alto do Malhão (2.5km, 9.4%) will give the climbers a chance to shine, but also the ground to distance the strong time trialists, who can count on a 18km-long stage against the clock in Sagres to come back into contention.
A star-studded field is expected to line up for the 43rd edition of the Portuguese race, and Fernando Gaviria and Maximiliano Richeze, who won two stages apiece at the Vuelta a San Juan in January, will be part of it. Daniel Martin, fifth at last week's Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, will make his Volta ao Algarve debut, while Dries Devenyns, neo-pro Enric Mas, Zdenek Stybar, Matteo Trentin and Julien Vermote will round up the eight-man squad, thus giving Quick-Step Floors a balanced and experienced team for next week's five-stage race
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele
