Volta ao Algarve 2024Road Bike Tours Specials

Overview

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• Welcome by our team on the first day, handing over of the racing bikes and discussion of the program
• Road book for Volta ao Algarve
• Specially designed shortened routes
• Choice of either guided or self-guided
• Access to the start and finish locations and exclusive access to the pro-paddocks
• Included participation in the Algarve Granfondo (if booked in advance) on February 19, 2023 - cycle in the footsteps of the world's best cycling stars! (Granfondo 138 km - 2325 m altitude or Medio Fondo 88 km - 1220 m altitude)
• The tour shows the diverse beauty of the region, a breathtaking coast, a hilly, natural landscape, with a very well-developed road network and challenging routes. There are many historical sites to explore and local specialties to enjoy!
• More information about the Volta ao Algarve at www.voltaaoalgarve.com/en and Granfondo at www.algarvegranfondo.com.

 

 

Bike Tour Description

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Day 1 14.02.2023

Arrival

Individual arrival in Faro. AlgarveCycling team will collect you at Faro airport (or station) and transfer you to we’ll join some of the Pro Tour teams headquarters at an Albufeira hotel. Welcome meeting in the evening, discussion of the program, handover and adjustment of the bikes. Later, with a cozy meal and a glass of wine, talking shop should not be missed.

 

Day 2 15.02.2023

1. Stage route of the racers: 200 km – 3170 hm Portimão Lagos

A showdown over 200 kilometers awaits in the first stage! On the long home straight into Lagos, the first stage is decided in a sprint, like the legendary stage victories of Fernando Gaviria, Dylan Groenewegen and Fabio Jakobsen. Who will it be this year?

 

Route with AlgarveCycling: 70 km – 610 hm Portimão – Lagos

From the hotel in Albufeira, transfer to Portimão directly to the starting point of the race, where you can follow the starting procedure of the pros up close. Very close to the race, you continue cycling along the coast towards Lagoa, where you will stop at a selected point to watch the pros literally whizzing past you. The route then leads through an area of orange groves to the historic town of Silves, once the capital of the Algarve. After Silves we continue to Porto de Lagos, where you can watch the passage of the main group again. Then it's back down the coast to your final destination, the historic town of Lagos. On a straight panoramic road along the harbor, you can experience the sprint to the finish up close! Finally, we transfer you back to the hotel.

 

Day 3 16.02.2023

2. Stage route of the racers: 189 km – 4555 hm

On the second stage, the first turning point of the tour is decided on the route between Sagres and the highest mountain in the Algarve, the Foia 902 m high. It is one of the most demanding stages, where the pros have to face the tough Alferce and Pomba climbs before the final climb to Foia.

 

Route with AlgarveCycling: 68 km – 1.600 hm

Directly from the hotel you transfer to the top of Foia. We’ll pass thru the tranquil and picturesque vilas of the serra de Monchique and check the race in 2 or 3 different points and still be able to arrive in time to see the finale. After this will transfer you back to the hotel.

 

Day 4 17.02.2023

3. Stage route of the racers: 203 km – 2935 hm

For the pros, it's the longest stage of the tour today. On the 200-kilometer route, you have to put your skills to the test. Endurance is the motto on this varied stage and the stage victory is decided in a mass sprint.

 

Route with AlgarveCycling: 54 km – 891 hm

Today it starts again with a visit to the paddock before the start. Then on the bike and off we go in the direction of Estoi and on to São Brás de Alportel. On a fantastic road - almost without traffic, characterized by many Cork oaks, the route leads to Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo through a small river valley lined with dense eucalyptus trees, it goes to a high plateau with a breathtaking view of the coast and the hilly Serra. Through the fertile area of the Barrocal, with typical small villages, pastures and many orchards and fruit plantations, we head towards Tavira. Arrived in Tavira it gets exciting! Watching a mass sprint on a long 3km straight line to the finish line. Afterwards we bring you back to the hotel in Albufeira.

 

Day 5 18.02.2023

4. Stage route of the racers: 177 km – 3740 hm

A large circuit and the traditional end of the stage in the small hamlet "Malhão" in the middle of the Serra at 500 m above sea level. Several steep sections characterize the route and the final climb in particular is tough. On the last 2 km there are 220 meters of altitude to be overcome with a 20% incline, so that there will hardly be a mass sprint. This legendary 2km has to be mastered twice in a small circuit before a decision is made

 

Route with AlgarveCycling: 39 km – 1.222 hm

After the pros have started, in front of the hotel, they head down into the Serra to Alte, where the pros can follow their mountain climb. Then it's time to set off for Malhão, but in fewer kilometers than the racers. However, the ascent with a 20% incline has to be mastered just like the pros! Once at the top, a fantastic panoramic view over the Serra and the coastal area awaits you. The finish of the racers ends in the last few meters of the challenging climb! After the certainly dramatic arrival at the destination, we will take you to the hotel where a relaxation from the hardships is offered with a cozy dinner and a good glass of wine (hb)!

 

Day 6 19.02.2023

5. and last stage – or participation in Algarve Granfondo

 

Track of the racers: Time trial 25 km – 373 hm

Time trials are on the agenda for the pros today. The round starts and ends in Lagoa as in the previous year.

Route with AlgarveCycling: 40 km - 586 hm or free day

Before it goes back to the paddock, the lap is completed with a few detours. Then it's right into the heart of the racing action. You can experience today's somewhat different preparations for the individual time trial instead of a mass start, and take the special impressions home with you. After the time trial we take you to Faro for one last night.

 

Participation in the Algarve Granfondo

Excellent! You made up your mind and took the opportunity to participate in the Algarve Granfondo. Follow in the footsteps of the world's best cycling stars on the 138 km circuit! Up to 1,000 participants are expected. Since the beginning of this event 6 years ago the Algarve Granfondo has been one of the most impressive in all of Europe.

After the race we’ll meet you in the VIP tent and bring you to the 4* hotel in Faro

 

Day 7 20.02.2023

Journey back

Depending on the departure time, you still have the opportunity to visit the city of Faro. It has a very pretty old town with many renovated buildings and a cathedral, all dating from the city's heyday in the 16th century. In the immediate vicinity there are many small restaurants and small shops where you can still get memories of the hopefully beautiful and eventful week.