34th Cycle Tour de Algarve: pedal action in the roads of the Algarve!

The Tour de Algarve heralds the start of national and international cycling events. A spectacle of colour and muscle power! The Tour consists of 5 stages starting in Albufeira and finishing in Portimão.

On Sunday 24th, at 14:30 pm enjoy the arrival of the cyclists at Portimão’s pretty Riverside area as they complete the Tour and the final stage.
The Tour de Algarve covers 800 km, with approximately 200 riders in 23 teams taking part.

1st Stage – Wednesday 20th - Albufeira – Faro 164,6 km
2nd Stage - Thursday 21st - Lagoa – Lagos 189,5 km
3rd Stage – Friday 22nd - Vila Real de St.º António – Loulé 207,7 km
4th Stage - Saturday 23rd - Timed/Individual Castro Marim – Tavira 34,0 km
5th Stage – Sunday 24th - Vila do Bispo – Portimão 193,5 km

Note: All over Portugal cycling competitions & races such as the Tour de Algarve, Tour de Portugal and Tour de France are followed enthusiastically.
There are cycling clubs and cycling is a popular sport, pastime.
And increasingly there is interest in cycle paths and cycling as a way to keep fit and exercise.

In the past cycling was a popular way to get about in small towns and villages and there is a desire to make cycling popular again as a mode of transport.

At Praia da Rocha you can rent a bike from Motorent. A great way to travel around and sightsee Praia da Rocha, Alvor, Ferragudo and Portimão!

Links:
34th Cycle Tour de Algarve – official site
Tour de Portugal 2007
(Tour de Portugal 2008: Prologue/Start from Portimão - August 13th 2008)

Other International competitions :
Tour de France 2008
Tour de Britain

Postscript:

The Tour de Algarve was won by the Belgian Stijn Devolder (team Quickstep).
Followed by the Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel (team Cofidis) in 2nd place and the Lithuanian Tomas Vaitkus (team Astana) in 3rd place.

The first man to arrive in Portimão during the 5th and last stage was the Austrian Berhard Eisel (team Milram).

Prepare your trip to Portimão for the Tour de Portugal !
Prologue in Portimão – August 13th, 2008.
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Algarve Holiday Studio: http://www.geocities.com/algarve_holiday/
For a memorable stay at Praia da Rocha, Algarve!