Probably the one thing to regret about this year's Volta ao Algarve is that it is only five days long and not only because of the sunshine and laid-back atmosphere that predominate along the coastal towns and villages of Portugal's 'Deep South' at this time of year. When it comes to the race, there are almost too many interesting and unpredictable plotlines to follow in this year's edition.
Even without 2019 Algarve winner Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) in the field, this year's edition is by far the most 'stacked' of all the early season stage races. Next week, a host of Spring Classics stars will be frantically honing their final form for fast-approaching Opening Weekend, rubbing shoulders as they do so with top GC contenders like double Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard and 2018 Tour champion Geraint Thomas.
Dig just a little deeper and you'll find a host of leading time trial specialists, breakaway artists and sprinters. Last but not least, when it comes to Portugal's top events and its longstanding home racing scene, Algarve is second only in importance to the national tour in August, which always adds yet another interesting ingredient to the mix - and occasionally, like in 2021, the outright winner.
