Volta ao Algarve 2023 route
The 2023 Volta ao Algarve kicks off with a potential chance for the sprinters to take the first yellow jersey in a 200.2km test from Portimão to Lagos. They will, however, need to survive the final categorised climb, which comes 138.9km into the stage, and a series of other uphill sections before getting a chance to sprint for victory. The sprinters that do make it will be hoping for a solid lead out into the long finishing straight as QuickStep did for Fabio Jakobsen last year.
Stage 2 will give the general classification contenders a chance to flex their muscles on the Alto da Fóia - a 7.5km first-category climb that averages at 6.1%. The finish to Fóia has provided exciting finishes in recent years as punchier riders are able to stay with the pure climbers. Last year's stage to Fóia came down to a chaotic 10-man sprint won by David Gaudu.
The third stage will have the fastmen back in action on the longest stage of the race at 203.1km from Faro to Tavira. It's a more simple-looking parcours than the opening stage, with the duo of category-three climbs coming in the first 100km. However, the pure sprinters will need to be guided through the series of roundabouts and a final 90-degree corner on the run-in to ensure they have an opportunity to sprint.
Stage 4 finishes on a 2.6km climb to Malhão with an average gradient of 9.2%, providing the best climbers in the race a chance to further their general classification hopes before the final stage time trial. With three categorised climbs in the final 40km, including the first passage of the Alto do Malhão, there will be chances to create meaningful gaps. Last year's stage was won by Sergio Higuita (Bora-Hansgrohe).
This year's Volta ao Algarve will finish with a largely flat 24.4km time trial starting and finishing in Lagoa. A similar parcours was used in the 2020 edition of the race where the top ten was reshuffled significantly after the time trial. This year's stage is 4.4km longer and will provide the better TT riders with more scope for gaining time and securing the yellow jersey.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
James Moultrie is a gold-standard NCTJ journalist who joined Cyclingnews as a News Writer in 2023 after originally contributing as a freelancer for eight months, during which time he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d’Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport’s top riders in Chloé Dygert, Lizzie Deignan and Wout van Aert. Outside of cycling, he spends the majority of his time watching other sports – rugby, football, cricket, and American Football to name a few.
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
'I really want to make this season a strong one' - Ethan Vernon eyes Scheldeprijs before big end of season goals
The British rider set to race the Critérium du Dauphiné, British National Championships and Tour de Pologne in preparation for the Vuelta a España -
‘Plenty of opportunities for puncheurs’ – Tudor’s Tour de France wildcard gives Alaphilippe chance to chase seventh stage win
'It’s super motivating to think about the Tour' says French six-time stage winner -
'He's one of the best riders of all time' – Jorgenson defends Van Aert ahead of final Flanders test at Dwars door Vlaanderen
Visma duo return to the race where Van Aert crashed out of the Classics last season, but on a 'significantly' different course -
'He lifts the team' – The Tom Pidcock effect at Q36.5 Pro Cycling
How the arrival of the British star has been strengthening the whole programme at the Swiss ProTeam