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Volta ao Algarve unveils 2017 route

By Cycling News

published 8 December 2016

Sprinters, time trialists and climbers will all have their chances on Algarve parcours that resembles 2016 route

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Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) on the final lcimb in Algarve(Image credit: Bettini)

The 2016 Volta ao Algarve podium(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)

Alberto Contador wins the final stage at Algarve(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)

Tony Martin lost the leader's jersey on the final day in Algarve(Image credit: Bettini)

Fabio Aru (Astana) (Image credit: Bettini)

The Volta ao Algarve has announced the route for the upcoming 43rd edition of the race, which will see the five-day Portuguese event upgraded to a 2.HC rating on the UCI's Europe Tour calendar.

Volta ao Algarve: Thomas takes overall victory as Contador wins the final stage

24 teams for 2017 Volta ao Algarve

Volta ao Algarve past winners

The 2017 running of the February race will closely resemble this year's edition, with stages for sprinters, time trial specialists and climbers alike.

The Volta will kick off with a 180.3km opening stage from Albufeira to Lagos, one for the fast finishers. Marcel Kittel (Etixx - Quick-Step) won this year's sprinters' opener in Lagos. As in 2016, the race continues with a second stage that climbs the Alto da Fóia, the first real test for the GC hopefuls.

Stage 3 mirrors the third stage of the 2016 race with an 18km individual time trial around Sagres. Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) nabbed his first TT win of the season there this past February.

A mostly flat 203.4km fourth stage will likely give the sprinters their second opportunity before an up-and-down final stage of the race from Loulé to the top of the Malhão climb. Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) nabbed the stage victory there earlier this season, with Sky's Geraint Thomas finishing fifth on the day to secure a second-straight overall GC win.

Already the preferred tune-up race for a number of riders looking to start the season with a varied parcours and a high level of competition, an upgraded Algarve expects a strong contingent of riders for the upcoming edition, with at least 10 WorldTour teams among those planning to make the start.