Avaí takes part in the 27th Tour of Santa Catarina | OneFootball

Photo: Avaí F.C. / FME Florianópolis / APGF

The competition takes place from September 1 to 7, passes through different cities in the state, and will feature national and international athletes.

Santa Catarina is once again hosting one of the top cycling competitions in Brazil and Latin America. From September 1 to 7, the 27th Tour of Santa Catarina 2026, also known as Volta SC, brings together major national and international teams for a week of racing on the roads of Santa Catarina. There will be five stages across different regions of the state.

Avaí has already been champion of the International Tour of Santa Catarina. In the Overall Individual Champion category, Argentine cyclist Matías Médici, riding for Avaí F.C., was the overall winner of the race in 2004 (marking the first victory by a foreign rider and by a team from Santa Catarina in the competition). In the Team Champion category, the Avaí F.C. / FME Florianópolis / APGF team won the team classification title in the 25th edition of the race in 2016. Other podium finishes came in 1997, when the team achieved 3rd place overall in the team classification.

Photo: Avaí F.C. / FME Florianópolis / APGF

2026 EDITIONThe opening “ride” will take place on September 1 in Pomerode, with the arena opening and the official team presentation. Road racing begins on the 2nd, starting at 1 p.m., connecting the European Valley, Upper Valley, the Santa Catarina Highlands, and Florianópolis.

Photo: Avaí F.C. / FME Florianópolis / APGF

The first stage will cover 118 kilometers between Pomerode and Ascurra, passing through Rio dos Cedros, Timbó, Benedito Novo, São Virgílio, and Rodeio. On Thursday (09/03), there will be 135 kilometers starting and finishing at the Sanctuary, in the Nossa Senhora de Lourdes and Praise Complex, in Ituporanga, on a course with more than 2,000 meters of elevation gain. On Friday (04), the cyclists set off early from Urubici toward Bom Jardim da Serra and the Serra do Rio do Rastro Lookout, over a 110-kilometer mountain route. The stage will also feature something new: in the afternoon, starting at 3 p.m., a 20-kilometer team time trial in Orleans. On Saturday (05), the Queen Stage takes place, with 138 kilometers between Orleans and the Serra do Rio do Rastro Lookout. The challenge includes 2,585 meters of elevation gain and the final 17-kilometer climb up the mountain range, with an average gradient of 6.3% and 1,085 meters of accumulated elevation difference. The final stage is scheduled for Florianópolis on September 6 (Sunday), with a 70-kilometer route starting from Avenida Beira-Mar Norte and returning to the same point. On this day, the athletes will cross the Hercílio Luz Bridge, head toward Avaí Stadium, and ride a lap around Ressacada (Aderbal Ramos da Silva Stadium) — in celebration of the Club’s 103rd anniversary. After that, they will continue past the Air Base in Tapera toward Morro das Pedras, before returning in the direction of Florianópolis International Airport and Downtown, heading to the final circuit of approximately 5 km on Avenida Beira-Mar Norte, where the overall champion will be decided, with the start and finish arena at Praça Sesquicentenário, known as the Casan parking area.

ABOUT THE TOURWhat: 27th Tour of Santa Catarina 2026 – UCI America TourDate: September 1 to 7, 2026Opening: September 1, in PomerodeProfessional stages: September 2 to 6Regions: European Valley, Upper Valley, Santa Catarina Highlands, and FlorianópolisSerra do Rio do Rastro Challenge: September 5, starting at 7 a.m.Florianópolis Challenge: September 7, starting at 12 p.m.

The 2026 Tour of Santa Catarina is sponsored by Soul Cycles, Havan, Proaço, RVB, HB (Hot Buttered Australia), Aunna, and RAM/DVA. The event also has support from Disauto, Fibra Sports, Chá Feel Good, Banana Brasil, Nathor Bicicletas, and Santuá Sports, in addition to institutional sponsorship from PIE — the Sports Incentive Program — and Fesporte.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.