Remco Evenepoel is back in action after his victory at the Vuelta a San Juan.
Three overall classification victories, 15 stage wins with a dozen different riders, and several distinctive jerseys, most recent of which was taken home by Tim Declercq last year – it’s safe to say that Volta ao Algarve has been a kind race with the Wolfpack, who returns at the start of the 46th edition (19-23 February).
Two stages for the sprinters, two uphill finishes – on Alto da Fóia (7.4km, 6%) and Alto do Malhão (2.6km, 9.4%) – and a 20.3km-long individual time trial, which for the first time in eight years is scheduled on the last day, make up the parcours of the Portuguese race, where Remco Evenepoel will return to competition after his Vuelta a San Juan triumph, at the beginning of the month.
Youngest ever rider to come out on top at the Argentinean race, the 20-year-old Belgian – whose palmares since turning pro counts now seven victories – will be joined by Dutch Champion Fabio Jakobsen, another Deceuninck – Quick-Step rider who has enjoyed a strong start to the season and winner of a Volta ao Algarve stage at the previous edition, João Almeida, Davide Ballerini, Tim Declercq, Yves Lampaert, and Florian Sénéchal.
“Algarve is one of the nicest races you can do in the beginning of the year. That doesn’t mean it’s easy; the parcours is an up-and-down one, which makes it a perfect test before the big races of the spring. Fabio, who won a stage in Valencia, will count again on Davide for the lead-out, but also on Florian, who starts his season next week, while João and Tim will be there to control the race”, explained sports director Tom Steels. “Remco will find a good course for him, but at the same time demanding. The technical time trial on the final stage will be an important test for both Remco, who we hope will get a good GC result, but also for Yves, who podiumed in the Algarve ITT last year.”
Yves Lampaert 