This year's Volta ao Algarve will welcome a record number of 14 WorldTour teams to the stage race, which will be held from February 17-21.

Twelve WorldTour teams participated in the 2020 race, which was won by Dečuninck-Quick Step phenom Remco Evenpole ahead of Bora-Hansgrohe's Max Schachmann.

All 12 will return in 2021, with the exception of the CCC team, which will be replaced by the Belgian team Intermarque Wantigobert, which has taken over the CCC World Tour license. Astana-Premier Tech, Bora-Hansgrohe, Cofidis, Deceuninck-Quick Step, Groupama-FDJ, Ineos Grenadiers, Israel Startup Nation, Lot Soudal, Team DSM, Trek Segafredo and UAE Team Emirates will also return.

Teams Bahrain Victorious, EF Education Nippon, Team Bike Exchange, and Koubeka Assos will not participate in the World Tour.

Pro teams Caja Rural-Segros RGA and Rally Cycling are also on the start list, as are Portuguese Continental teams Atum General-Tavira-Maria Nova Hotel, Efapel, Antarte-Feirense, Kelly Simoldes-. UDO, LA Arminios-LA Sport, Rouletano-Loure, Radio Popular-Boavista, Tabufer-Mortagua, and W52-FC Porto will also participate.

The Volta ao Algarve is a major early-season race, and along with the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, Tour de la Provence, and Vuelta a Andalucia, it often attracts a strong start list to open the European season.

With the cancellation of the Tour Down Under and the Vuelta a San Juan likely to be limited to local teams, the UAE Tour in late February is likely to be the major non-European early season face-off for the pro peloton.

Israeli Startup Nation's Chris Froome was scheduled to compete in San Juan, but it appears that he will make his ISN debut at the Volta Ao Algarve, his first return to competition in nine years. No other players have been confirmed at this time.