Our team amassed two dozen stage wins from the previous participations.
Remco Evenepoel returns at the start of the Volta ao Algarve, the most important Portuguese race of the season. Having triumphed there on two occasions (2020 and 2022), the Belgian Champion will once again be among the riders to watch at the five-day race, which kicks off this Wednesday.
The stages of the event should be divided among the sprinters and climbers, with two opportunities apiece, but also the time trial specialists will have their chance on the penultimate day, when a 22.2km test against the clock awaits on the rolling roads around Albufeira. Alto da Foia and Alto do Malhão, the most iconic ascent of the region, will be the climbers’ favourite playground, but in case of some headwind as has happened at the recent editions, the ITT could be the one playing a decisive role in the final order on the general classification.
For the 50th edition of the race, Evenepoel will be joined by Mattia Cattaneo, James Knox, Mikel Landa, Pieter Serry, Warre Vangheluwe and Louis Vervaeke – the same team that helped him win the Figueira Champions Classic last weekend.
“Volta ao Algarve is a hard race, but the good thing about it is that the course stays pretty much the same every year, so you know what you are facing. We have two hard uphill finishes and a demanding time trial, which could play a big role in the way the general classification will look on Sunday, but we come here with a good team and we can’t wait to see what we can do this week”, said Soudal Quick-Step sports director Tom Steels.
Photo credit: ©Wout Beel
