2011 Volta ao Algarve

The 37th Tour of Algarve ( officially: Volta ao Algarve ) was a cycling stage race in Portugal, which took place from 16 to 20 February 2011. It was held in five stages over a total distance of 707.7 kilometers. The race was part of the UCI Europe Tour 2011 and classified there in the category 2.1.

Overall victory was awarded the German Tony Martin from team HTC -Highroad ahead of his teammate Tejay van Garderen. Third went to Dutchman Lieuwe Westra ( Vacansoleil -DCM ).

Participant

Twelve of the 18 ProTeam were just at the start as five Professional Continental team. The field of 21 teams was completed by the four Portuguese Continental teams. Eleven German and three Swiss professionals participated.

Stages and race course

The first stage, which was launched on Algarve stadium in Faro, contained only a few short climbs. However, it did not come at the expected mass sprint, instead, sat down on the last kilometer of the Belgian Philippe Gilbert of the Omega Pharma- Lotto from and celebrated a narrow solo victory. The second section was flat, especially towards the end, in the mass sprint of the German Neuprofi John Degenkolb (HTC -Highroad ) celebrated his first professional victory. The third leg ended in a short, but steep increase of almost three kilometers in length. Gilbert lost over a minute and had to give the overall lead on day's winner Steve Cummings (Sky Procycling ), who led a group of five riders to the finish. However, large distances between the groups were not yet concluded.

Only a few climbs waiting on the following days. Again wearing a German in a mass sprint to victory, this time it was André Greipel, Gilbert teammate. The decision for the overall victory fell short in the final time trial: stage winner Tony Martin also captured the yellow jersey.