Up and down, up and down, up and down. There is no rest for the peloton in this 87th edition of the Volta a Portugal Jogos Santa Casa and Friday brings yet another stage that promises plenty of excitement.

On the eve of the climb to Senhora da Graça, the riders face a dangerous and deceptive route: 2,833 metres of elevation gain over almost 167 kilometres of racing, including two Category 3 climbs, the last of them less than 15 kilometres from the finish.

Penha, the climb that could decide the day

The day begins in Melgaço, where the Volta caravan sets off towards Fafe. In addition to the mountain classifications, there will be points on offer for Rui Oliveira’s (UAE Team Emirates XRG) Galp Orange Jersey, with three intermediate sprints: Monção, Ponte de Lima and Braga.

Between Monção and Ponte de Lima comes the ascent of Alto de Espinheiro, a five-kilometre climb averaging 4.6 per cent. Riders who lose contact there will have plenty of road left to regain their position, but the same cannot be said of the second climb of the afternoon.

The Penha climb comes deep into the final part of the stage and is more demanding: six kilometres at an average gradient of 6.3 per cent, just over 14 kilometres from the finish. Anyone who loses contact there will have very little time to reorganise.

Whether for the breakaway, a strong possibility given that teams such as UAE Team Emirates XRG and Anicolor/Campicarn are significantly depleted, or for the General Classification, Penha will require extra attention from the riders to avoid surprises and could prove decisive in the outcome of the stage, which finishes at Praça 25 de Abril in Fafe.

Guérin defends the Yellow Jersey

In the General Classification, Alexis Guérin defends the Jogos Santa Casa Yellow Jersey. The Anicolor/Campicarn rider also leads the Mountains Classification and wears the Continente Blue Jersey. In the Youth Classification, Adrià Pericas holds the Paredes Rota dos Móveis White Jersey after his victory in Gerês on Thursday.

As already mentioned, Rui Oliveira starts the stage wearing the Galp Orange Jersey and will be looking to defend his lead in the Points Classification.

Stage 8 of the Volta a Portugal starts in Melgaço at 13:10 and is expected to finish in Fafe at 17:18. The race will be broadcast live on RTP1 from 15:00 and on HBO Max.