ProTeam Volta ao Algarve: the final dress rehearsal for Lotto Cycling Team’s classics squad

The Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta serves as the first real dress rehearsal for the classic spring squad. This five-day stage race through the south of Portugal brings together the full lead-out train for Arnaud De Lie. Cedric Beullens, one of the key riders, shares his thoughts: “Jarrad Drizners is here, Jasper De Buyst, Arnaud, and myself. And with three sprint stages in this race, it’s a great way to practice together multiple times,” he says.

Beullens spent three weeks preparing on the Teide in Tenerife and joined the team training camp in the two weeks prior. “I’ve trained long enough, and I’m really looking forward to racing again. Last year, I followed the exact same approach—straight from Teide to my first race. It worked well then, so I hope for the same outcome this year.”

The Volta ao Algarve attracts a strong field, making it an ideal part of the buildup to the opening weekend. “That often means the group stays more compact, as everyone is still able to close gaps from any position. The first day might be a bit chaotic, but once that peloton feeling returns, everything will settle down.”

Beullens is already looking forward to the Flemish spring races. “We’re here with a solid team for our first and also final test—this is the core squad for the classics. In the coming weeks, a few more riders will join us—Lennert Van Eetvelt, for example, will race the Tour of Flanders. This year, the classics will be all about proving that we can perform. Last year, things often didn’t go our way. If Brent (Van Moer) and I hadn’t crashed in Dwars door Vlaanderen, or if I hadn’t gone down in Paris-Roubaix, we’d be talking about a completely different spring campaign. But you can’t let that weigh on you mentally. The spring classics are already such a battle—you’re better off approaching them with a positive mindset.”

Picture: Brecht Steenhouwer