2026 Volta ao Algarve Stage 5 Live Coverage
Welcome to our live coverage of Stage 5 of the 2026 Volta ao Algarve! Our live profile and commentary are below, followed by a preview of the technical aspects of the route.
Course Preview
The closing stage of the Volta ao Algarve covers 148.4 kilometres and includes 3,264 metres of elevation gain. The finish is atop Alto do Malhão, a punchy ascent of 2.6 kilometres at an average gradient of 9.1%.
Alto do Malhão is a staple at the Volta ao Algarve. Last year it hosted a time trial, which Jonas Vingegaard mastered. The year before, Daniel Felipe Martínez outsprinted Remco Evenepoel on the climb, with Tom Pidcock finishing third, 3 seconds adrift.
The course leading to to the final ascent is rarely flat, although it takes nearly 90 kilometres before the first KOM worthy climb – 2.1 kilometres at 7% – appears. By then, the riders are already on the finishing circuit, which they complete roughly one and a half times.
Just over 10 kilometres after that 2.1-kilometre climb, the riders reach the foot of Alto do Malhão for the first time. As mentioned, it is a 2.6-kilometre ascent averaging 9.1%, easing slightly in the final few hundred metres.
Following an undulating 8-kilometre section, the road finally descends, and at the bottom the riders are immediately confronted with a sharp ramp of 800 metres at 10.7%. The route continues up and down until the 2.1-kilometre climb at 7% reappears. Just over 10 kilometres later, it is time for the final showdown on Alto do Malhão.
At two intermediate sprints – 96.1 and 15.9 kilometres from the finish – 3, 2 and 1 bonus seconds are on offer. At the line, the first three riders gain 10, 6 and 4 bonus seconds.
Get our full coverage of the Volta ao Algarve and every race we cover with our mobile app! The apps have over 100 additional exclusive features, including our award-winning Time Machine feature that lets you pause/rewind/replay the entire app to sync with delayed race video, integrated Fantasy Cycling, push notifications, an integrated news feed, live GPS tracking, world-class commentary, and our animated interactive maps and profiles.
