1 st
Stage
3 Km
Distance
30 Mts
of climbing
Night Prologue
Tavira Historical Center
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Friday, February 27th 2026
2.3 Km – 30 of climbing
The Algarve Bike Challenge debuts with the traditional night prologue at the enchanter and historical area of Tavira city. Along the narrow old cobbled streets with its natural light the circuit is short but very intense, providing a boost of adrenaline, in a beauty and historical environment. In this place along generations lived phoenicians, ligures, Celts and Turdetans and, later, the Romans, Carthaginians, Suevi, Silingos, Alanos, Visigoths, Muslims and finally the Christians.
The show is guaranteed and the night prologue is for sure the perfect way to start the Algarve Bike Challenge!
2 nd
Stage
72 Km
Distance
1800 Mts
of climbing
Tavira’s Sierra
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Saturday, February 28th 2026
72 Km – 1800 mt of climbing
The 2nd stage of the Algarve Bike Challenge is the queen stage of the race. Tavira’s sierra is demanding, and despite a maximum altitude of only 500 meters, its saw-like orography ensures that when you’re not descending, you’re climbing! In 2026 the Algarve Bike Challenge returns to the highest peak of the eastern Algarve, in Alcaria de Cume above 500m. The first half of the stage will be more challenging with some long climbs through the gravel roads, then a long and fast downhill will take you to Fornalha where a serie of singletracks will test your driving skills!
The last section of the stage will be fast with short punchy climbs.
3 rd
Stage
64 Km
Distance
1000 Mts
of climbing
Algarve Barrocal
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Sunday, March 1st 2026
65 Km – 1.200 of climbing
The 3rd and final stage of the Algarve Bike Challenge 2026 offers a very different course compared to stage 2. After a first section with short but steep climbs, riders will then cycle exclusively through the barrocal region of the Algarve, situated between the coast and the mountains.
This area is much flatter; however, the terrain is rocky and technically more challenging, featuring loose surfaces, narrow trails, and constant changes in direction. These characteristics are typical of the barrocal.
This stage will be packed with singletracks and beautiful trails!
