Tavira teams up with Handsling for 2025

Clube de Ciclismo de Tavira, who claim to be the oldest professional cycling team in continuous operation, has announced a major equipment partnership with Handsling, who will serve as the team’s official bike supplier for the 2025 season.

The Portuguese outfit competes at the UCI Continental level under the commercial name AP Hotels & Resorts–Tavira–SC Farense, and has been a fixture on the national scene since its founding in 1979. With no other professional sports team present in the town, Tavira decided to get behind the cycling team. While other sponsors have come and gone, the Municipo Tavira has stayed faithful to its cyclists. This probably goes a long way to explain the team’s longevity.

A Legacy of Success

Clube de Ciclismo de Tavira has built an impressive palmarès over the decades, with consistent wins in both one-day races and stage races. Among their standout achievements are four consecutive victories at the Volta a Portugal, along with international success at the Tour of China and Tour de San Luis.

While their races may be less familiar to non-Portuguese make no mistake, the racing in Portugal is fiercely competitive. In 2025 Portugal fields nine UCI Continental teams, compared to five in Great Britain. An interesting distinction: all of Portugal’s Continental squads are male, while Britain’s are all female. The UK does boast one WorldTour team in INEOS Grenadiers, but the depth and frequency of competition in Portugal is notable.

Racing Culture in Portugal

From March through October, Portugal’s road calendar is packed with races across all levels. This vibrant domestic scene means most teams rarely travel outside the country, which has historically kept Portuguese riders under the radar internationally.

Still, those who’ve made the leap have shone brightly: names like Joaquim Agostinho, Acácio da Silva, Rui Costa, and João Almeida prove the nation’s potential on the world stage.

Portuguese racing; what's the scene?

To get a rider’s perspective, we spoke with team rider Peter Cevini. Peter has raced for teams across Italy, Switzerland, Ireland, Belarus, Romania, and now Portugal. He is the classic example of a European pro, well travelled and able to converse in multiple languages. 

According to Peter, Portugal offers a unique mix of cycling-friendly culture, good weather, quiet roads, and diverse terrain. “The Portuguese are very respectful of cyclists,” he says, “which makes for a much more relaxed and safe experience on the road.”

Peter also confirms what fans can see clearly: Portuguese racing is competitive and professional. Teams travel with full support: cars, mechanics, coaches, masseurs, and directors. The setup is thorough, and the racing is intense.

Equipped by Handsling for the 2025 Season

To meet the demands of Portugal’s challenging road and stage races, the team has chosen Handsling’s cutting-edge race machines for the 2025 season. Each rider will be equipped with two bikes: the A1R0evo and the TSTRevo.

The A1R0evo is the team’s all-around race weapon; just as capable in sprints as it is on climbs. Designed in-house by Handsling, it blends lightweight efficiency with aerodynamic performance.

For time trials, the team will rely on the TSTRevo, a purpose-built TT frame that’s optimised for real-world aerodynamics. Featuring a bladed aero seatpost, fully hidden cable routing, and ergonomic extensions, the TSTRevo helps riders maximise speed where every second counts.

Peter confirms the importance of dedicated TT bikes in Portugal: “Every team uses them, no one is willing to risk GC time using a standard road frame.”

Volta a Portugal Update

As of now, the team is in the thick of the action at the Volta a Portugal, where they’re currently sitting third in the general classification, thanks to a standout performance by Colombian rider Jesús Peña. They’re also second in the team classification, underlining the strength of the squad.

We’ll be following the race closely and bringing you updates on Tavira’s progress. If you want to watch the action live or catch up on previous stages, head over to RTP’s website for full coverage.