Hot competition at the Volta Portugal

At this year’s Volta a Portugal, it wasn’t just the racing that was hot. Riders battled searing temperatures above 40°C, and stage four was even shortened after fire broke out on the penultimate climb.

Among the teams taking on the challenge was the Handsling-sponsored AP Hotels & Resorts–Tavira–SC Farense squad. Called up at the last minute, they lined up with a youthful roster of seven riders. Despite three of them making their Volta debut, the team impressively finished with a full complement - no small achievement given the brutal conditions.

Consistency was the hallmark of their campaign. Across the eleven days, the team placed riders on the podium or inside the top ten in every stage, racking up seven podium finishes in total. Their collective strength was rewarded with third place in the final team classification, a standout result against seasoned opponents and former stage winners.

The revelation of the race was 25-year-old Colombian David Jesús Peña. Starting back in 69th after the prologue, Peña surged to 5th overall by stage two, climbing to 2nd after stage six. He held 3rd place for much of the following week, only to be denied a final podium spot in the decisive time trial. South African Byron Munton edged him out, riding 35 seconds faster on the day. Even so, Peña’s performance - adding to his three previous stage-race podiums this season - underlined his growing reputation as an exciting young talent.

Equipped by Handsling for the 2025 Volta

To meet the demands of the Volta - AKA the Grandissima - the team has chosen Handsling’s cutting-edge race machines. 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.