Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic Clash at the Tour of Algarve
The Tour of Algarve, taking place from Wednesday to Sunday in southern Portugal, marks the first head-to-head battle between reigning Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard and Vuelta a España winner Primoz Roglic. The race also witnesses the debut of Julian Alaphilippe in the colors of his new team, Tudor.
While Slovenian world champion Tadej Pogacar has opted for the Tour of the United Arab Emirates as his season opener, his Danish rival Vingegaard, aiming to dethrone Pogacar in the Tour de France and chase a record-equaling third title, has decided to remain in Europe.
Succession of Remco Evenepoel
Following last year’s victory by Belgian Remco Evenepoel, who is sidelined due to a training accident in December, the Team Visma-Lease Bike leader faces a formidable challenge. In addition to Roglic, Vingegaard will have to contend with French competition led by Romain Bardet, in his final season in the peloton, and Julian Alaphilippe, who has already showcased his form for Tudor with an eighth-place finish at the Figueira Champions Classic.
"My condition is good, I just need to find my rhythm," the two-time world champion (2020 and 2021) stated at a pre-race press conference on Monday.
Contenders to Watch
Other notable riders gracing the Tour of Algarve include Belgian Wout Van Aert, Welshman Geraint Thomas (competing in his final season), British Tao Geoghegan Hart, and Portuguese Joao Almeida. These contenders harbor hopes of challenging Vingegaard, who will double up at the Tour de France and Vuelta a España this summer.
Stars on the Rise
Young French rider Paul Magnier (20), a rising star in sprinting, will have the opportunity to test his speed against Belgian Arnaud De Lie and Eritrean Biniam Girmay. Magnier recently secured a stage win at the Étoile de Bessèges.
Tense Battles Ahead
As the peloton navigates the scenic roads of southern Portugal, the Tour of Algarve promises to deliver compelling racing. Vingegaard and Roglic, both known for their explosive climbing and tactical prowess, are likely to engage in a thrilling duel for supremacy. Alaphilippe, too, seeks to make an immediate impact in his new team’s colors, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the proceedings.
This early-season showdown serves as a precursor to the season’s major events, setting the stage for an exciting and fiercely competitive cycling calendar.
