by The wind along the climb is an important factor exposed in the final kilometers.
Time trial of 24.4 km (8 km less compared to 2022), ideal for real experts. It’s not completely flat, but you can’t say it’s uphill either, the differences will be significant between riders.
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Fabio Jacobsen dominated the Algarve sprint in 2022 and returns with the same intention, the Belgian team knows these roads well, it is one of their favorite places for winter training.
Jordi Meeus has shown excellent legs these past few days in Spain and hopes to continue strongly in the Algarve.
Alexander Kristoff is soren Wærenskjold are introduced as the Uno-X sprinters, it remains to be seen which of the two will be the main bet, we think Kristoff will claim his status.
The list of sprinters this year is much weaker than in other years. There are other sprinter names: Penhoët, van Uden, Teunissen, Theuns, Cort, Sbaragli, Hoffstetter.
★★★ Jakobsen
★★ Meeus, Kristoff
★ Warenskjold, Penhoët, van Uden, Teunissen, Theuns, Cort, Sbaragli, Hoffstetter
General
João Almeida
Hit home runs and that’s extra motivation. The course suits its characteristics, but it has to go well again on the contrary, last year the level in the specialty was not what was expected.
He started the year relatively well, without being very strong, but he showed a good level and in the Algarve he is expected to be even better.
Ineos
They have plenty of options, Arensman showed excellent form in Valencia and could be the bet here, the course is to his liking.
Daniel Martinez was on the podium last year but this year he started the year far from that level, however this is a course he likes and it is another card the English have to play, it is also expected that the Colombian will level up compared to last month.
Pippo Ganna is the big unknown, but the climbs in the Algarve are not like those in Argentina, the slopes are steeper, so we will see what his role will be here.
Present once again is Tom Pidcock, who passed through southern Portugal last year incognito.
Bora-Hansgrohe
Another team with more than one option, Hindley and Higuita are cyclists who can and should be among the best, the big problem is the final time trial, which will punish them a lot.
But both are favorites to win in Foia and Malhão, especially the Colombian who started very strongly and knows what it’s like to win in the Algarve.
Tobias Foss
World time trial champion, in 2022 he did quite well in the Algarve and this year he is expected to be among the best again, mainly because Jumbo-Visma does not bring many people who can fight for the overall. The final time trial favors him.
Ilan Van Wilder
A young cyclist with huge talent who wants to take the step forward this year. The year started well, with a good level.
He climbs well and has a decent timing, a top-5 contender.
Stefan Kung
Last year he surprised in some mountain stages, but he has the same problem as Ganna, these climbs, especially Malhão, do not suit him. But it won’t be surprising to see him in the final top-10.
Bauke Mollema
He will be Trek’s bet for the overall, 2022 did very well in the final time trial and if he repeats his performance from last year, he could be very useful for this race.
Rui Costa
He is reborn, a candidate for the top-10, the time trial and Malhão can punish him.
Portuguese teams
I don’t expect much from the home teams.
★★★ Almeida, Arensmann
★★ Foss, Van Wilder
★ Higuita, Martinez, Hindley, Costa, Mollema
Our bet: João Almeida
Joker: Ilan Van Wilder
Watch live: #Valgarve2023
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