The 50th edition of the Volta ao Algarve, scheduled to take place from February 14 to 18, 2024, will have its starting point in Portimão, with the champions being crowned at the top of Malhão, in Loulé. An exciting new development will be the introduction of an all-new Time Trial in Albufeira.
The only Portuguese stage competition, on the UCI ProSeries circuit, will cover a total distance of 752.9 km, with a total elevation gain of 14,455 meters, spread over five stages. The finish of each stage will be marked by bonuses, and the winner of the intermediate sprint in each stage will be awarded a 6-second bonus.
1st stage
The inaugural stage, which stands out as the longest in the competition, will cover a distance of 200.8 km, connecting Portimão to Lagos. This day promises to be especially memorable for sprinters.
Ascents
37.6 km: Aldeia dos Matos (1.9 km at 5.2%)
96.5 km: Nave (5.9 km at 4.2%)
2nd Stage
The second stage should already feature the first battle for the general classification over a length of 171.9 km between Lagoa and the top of Fóia, in Monchique. The finish line, located at the highest point in the Algarve, will be preceded by three other mountain climbs. These climbs include the challenges of Alferce (3rd category) and Pomba (2nd category), the latter being located just 6300 meters from the start of the climb to the finish.
Ascents
77.7 km: Alto de Choca (1.8 km at 6.2%)
146.2 km: Alferce (3 km at 7.1%)
158.2 km: Pomba (3.8 km at 7.9 %)
171.9 km: Alto de Foia (7.5 km at 5.9%)
3rd Stage
In the third stage there will be another opportunity for sprinters at the end of the 192.2 km between Vila Real de Santo Antonio and Tavira. On the route we will have an intermediate sprint, as happened in 2023. We will see if the same intermediate point will have any impact on the definition of the stage in 2024.
Ascents
103.4 km: Alcaria (2.3 km at 6.0%)
148.0 km: Faz Fato (4.7 km at 3.3%)
4th Stage
The 4th stage presents the biggest change in the competition, a 22.2 km individual time trial between Albufeira Marina and Albufeira City Hall. The route features climbs and descents characteristic of the Volta ao Algarve time trials. There are no categorized climbs in this stage.
5th Stage
The last stage, 165.8 km between Faro and Alto do Malhão, promises to repeat all the excitement of previous years. The finish coincides with a second category mountain prize. At 24 km to the finish, the peloton will make the first climb to Malhão, after passing through the Vermelhos (km 99) and Alte (km 128.3) mountain passes.
Climbs
43.8 km: Picota (3.0 km at 6.0%)
99.0 km: Vermelhos (3.3 km at 5.8%)
128.3 km: Alte (2.4 km at 6.8% )
141.8 km: Alto de Malhao (2.6 km at 9.2%)
165.8 km: Alto de Malhao (2.6 km at 9.2%)
Where to watch in Portugal
The Volta ao Algarve is broadcast daily on the Eurosport 2 channel at 3pm (local time). Discovery+ streaming also announces the broadcast. Another alternative is the Flobikes online channel .
Where to watch in Brazil
In Brazil, the race can be watched via the Discovery+ streaming channel . Another alternative is the Flobikes online channel.