Cycling: Almodovar gets queen stage, with the end in the High Malhão, the Tour of the Algarve.
The 42nd edition of the Tour of the Algarve, na estrada entre 17 and 21 February 2016, It shows a route with opportunities for any kind of runners. The fifth and final stage, considerada a “queen stage”, Almodovar has starting and ending in the High Malhão.
The itinerary features 756,6 kilometers, spread over four steps in a single line and contrarrelógio. The first and the fourth taken are excellent for rollers and sprinters. The second and the fifth end in high, favoring climbers. The fourth is a contrarrelógio.
Only a complete rider may aspire to succeed the Welshman Geraint Thomas, winner 2015 and candidate and keep the throne in 2016.
The fight for the yellow jersey expected to be lively until the last meter of competition, as the 42nd Tour of the Algarve ends at the top of Malhão, Loulé, after covering the last 172,7 kilometers, from Almodovar. There will be a first pass through the Malhão, a 45 kilometers from the finish, following a tortuous path, with a sequence of short, steep climbs, reminding the spring classic, before the final approach to 2,5 kilometers with an average incline 9,4 por cento do Malhão.
Route
1.Th Stage (17 Feb.): Lagos – Albufeira, 187,6 km; 2.Th Stage (18 Feb.): Lagoa - Fóia, 200 km; 3.Th Stage (19 Feb.): Sagres - Sagres, 18 km (Contrarrelógio Single); 4.Th Stage (20 Feb.): S. Brás de Alportel - Tavira, 187,3 km e 5.ª Etapa (21 Feb.): Almodovar - Malhão, 172,7 km.
Teams
World Tour: Astana, Cannondale, Etixx-QuickStep, FDJ, IAM Cycling, Katusha, Lot Soudal, Lotto NL-Jumbo, Movistar, Team Sky, Tinkoff e Trek Factory Racing.
Continental Professionals: Bora-Argon 18, Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, Gazprom-RusVelo, Novo Nordisk, Roth-Skoda e Verva ActiveJet.
Continental: All Portuguese teams will be constituted in 2016 (Predicted six)
Recent winners of the Tour of the Algarve: 2015 – Geraint Thomas (GBR) – Team Sky, 2014 – Michal Kwiatkowski (POL) – Omega Pharma-QuickStep, 2013 – Tony Martin (GIVING) – Omega Pharma-QuickStep, 2012 – Richie Porte (FROM) – Team Sky; 2011 – Tony Martin (GIVING) – HTC-HighRoad; 2010 – Alberto Contador (ESP) – Astana; 2009 – Alberto Contador (ESP) – Astana; 2008 – Stijn Devolder (BEL) – QuickStep-Innergetic e 2007 – Alessandro Petacchi (ITA) – Milram.
