Volta ao Algarve stage 1: A sprint showdown to open the race

You can take a look at the race start list below.

We’re just under an hour away from the start of the stage.

There are two climbs on the route today, though both come in the opening half of the stage.

The fourth-category Aldeia dos Matos (1.9km at 5.2%) and third-category Nave (5.9km at 4.2%) will give the breakaway a chance to battle over the climber’s jersey, and shouldn’t affect the outcome of the stage.

The opening stage runs a 200km circuitous route in the east of the southern Portuguese region, heading inland from Portimão and heading east to Lagos for a likely sprint finish.

Hello and welcome to our first live coverage of the 2024 European road season, the opening stage of the Volta ao Algarve!