Jasper Philipsen and Paul Magnier get immediate sprint chance in Volta ao Algarve

This week, the Tour of the Algarve takes place in Portugal. The Volta is perhaps the best-attended PRO race on the UCI calendar annually, and 2026 is no different. Jasper Philipsen will be participating, and the Belgian gets an immediate first chance to score on day one. WielerFlits looks ahead!

Route

On day one of the Volta ao Algarve, the peloton rides from Vila Real de Santo António to Tavira. Both towns lie close to the Portuguese coast, and during the 184-kilometer stage, the riders make a large loop through the Portuguese interior. This includes considerable elevation gain.

After a flat start to the day, the riders climb to a plateau around 200 meters high, where they will spend much of the stage. At the halfway point, the toughest climb of the day is the Marcador (6.2 kilometers at 4.5%), followed later by the Faz Fato (7.9 kilometers at 2.6%) about fifty kilometers from the finish.

The golden kilometer is located 25 kilometers from the finish line in the start town Vila Real de Santo António, after the riders have completed the loop, and the stage heads into a flat finale.