Volta ao Algarve 2026

Volta ao Algarve results

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Stage 1: Paul Magnier rockets to stage 1 victory as Soudal-QuickStep control final kilometre

In a messy headwind bunch sprint, Magnier emerged victorious after launching off the wheel of Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) to take the first leader's jersey. In the new golden kilometre time bonus sprints, Juan Ayuso picked up three seconds in his quest for the overall victory.

Volta ao Algarve overview

The Volta ao Algarve, founded in 1960, will hold its 52nd edition in 2026 with 11 WorldTour teams on the line for the ProSeries event.

A prestigious event in its own right, since the late 1990s it gained much greater international stature and has become a significant early-season race that many top riders use to prepare for the upcoming Spring Classics.

More recent winners of the Volta ao Algarve include the likes of Tony Martin, Michal Kwiatkowski, Richie Porte, Geraint Thomas, Primož Roglič, Tadej Pogačar, Remco Evenepoel and, in 2025, Jonas Vingegaard.

The 2026 Volta ao Algarve once again features a medium-length, rolling individual time trial of 19.5 kilometres, plus a summit finish on the second day on the Alto do Fóia and the final day atop the Alto do Malhão.

There are plenty of opportunities for the sprinters, too, with two flat finishes outside of the decisive three stages for the GC.

Volta ao Algarve route

2026 Volta ao Algarve Stages

• February 18, 2026: Stage 1 - Vila Real de Santo António - Tavira, 183.5km
• February 19, 2026: Stage 2 - Portimão - Fóia, 147km
• February 20, 2026: Stage 3 (ITT) - Vilamoura - Vilamoura, 19.5km
• February 21, 2026: Stage 4 - Albufeira - Lagos, 175km
• February 22, 2026: Stage 5 - Faro - Malhão, 148.4km

With a slightly shorter, but punchier route than in 2025, the 673.5 kilometres of the 2026 Volta ao Algarve have some interesting innovations.

Stage 1 features a golden kilometre, stage 2 has a tougher finale prior to the usual summit of Alto do Fóia and stage 5, whilst ending on the Malhão, has a much harder finishing circuit.

You can read about the route in full here.