João Almeida - Bota Lume

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Shouldn't the guys in the car take care of it? I've head the commentators saying that one of their responsibilities is to remind their riders when to eat. Especially when you're one of the leaders and it's a hard stage. If the hunger knock is real then I can understand why Almeida was so pissed in that interview. Almeida probably blames those guys while DQS management are like "it's your own fault".
But if it was hunger knock then why DQS said "Almeida had a bad day" instead of actually saying what it was. Maybe because they knew people will blame them.
This cumulated with the fact that DQS didn't help him on Sestola and left him to rot when he was dropping it's probably a bitter lesson Almeida has to take because he leaves and also thanks to the Belgian bias. They could've limit his losses to 3 minutes or even 2 but DQS was more than happy to sacrifice him early. That choice now bites them back.
I don't think we will see any new GC rider at DQS any time soon, the peloton saw the leadership treatment Almeida got.

First time i've ever seen someone blame the team for a rider forgetting to eat. Must be Belgian bias.

 

[groogster]

First time i've ever seen someone blame the team for a rider forgetting to eat. Must be Belgian bias.

In this one I'm with you

 

[Luthor]

First time i've ever seen someone blame the team for a rider forgetting to eat. Must be Belgian bias.

As usual you get triggered and salty. You were the first guy happy Almeida was gone and that "he is done", purely comical saying in this thread "you are a fan". Also obviously it's mostly Almeida's fault for it, he should be responsible of his own body. But he is still not experienced enough. I'm just saying what some guys said, I don't know if teams actually tell their riders when to eat. But it wouldn't surprise me if they do it with their leaders because they might get too focused and forget to eat. If the team did nothing wrong tho, why not saying from the beginning that it was hunger knock?

 

[limak_]

PS: he had 3 months to get ready for the Giro... but that included "getting on the bike". He wasn't allowed to ride for 2 months, and the day he was allowed back on the bike, was exactly 3 months before the start. That means 1st week only short low intensity rides and build up.

Simple question Logic. Have you ever been training on the bike, preparing for any competition?

After 2 months completely off the bike (with fresh post injury complications in your mind) you can't say that then straightforward you had a 2 months, 3wks of proper, quality training. Actually this whole 3 months period was just a "build up" for him. He was maybe able to start some real workouts after a month.

Just excactly as he said himslef "2 months of training". He's being honest and doesn't take into account the first month at all.

(Ok, I know it was just a quick interview and he wasn't supposed to be that precise about it, but still I'm not taking back what I wrote at the beginning)

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Simple question Logic. Have you ever been training on the bike, preparing for any competition?

After 2 months completely off the bike (with fresh post injury complications in your mind) you can't say that then straightforward you had a 2 months, 3wks of proper, quality training. Actually this whole 3 months period was just a "build up" for him. He was maybe able to start some real workouts after a month.

Just excactly as he said himslef "2 months of training". He's being honest and doesn't take into account the first month at all.

(Ok, I know it was just a quick interview and he wasn't supposed to be that precise about it, but still I'm not taking back what I wrote at the beginning)

I was simply providing context that you were missing. That's the reason some say he had 3 months to prepare, while he now says 2 months.

 

[groogster]

As usual you get triggered and salty. You were the first guy happy Almeida was gone and that "he is done", purely comical saying in this thread "you are a fan". Also obviously it's mostly Almeida's fault for it, he should be responsible of his own body. But he is still not experienced enough. If the team did nothing wrong tho, why not saying from the beginning that it was hunger knock?

Luther IMO and as a bottom line at that stage João was not at his best and sure we can speculate about what was behind it... for me the simple explanation is usually the right one, so...

• maybe he was in the wrong mood feeling that DQ was protecting Remco and neglecting him
• maybe he couldn't cope with the weather
• maybe he forgot to eat when he must to

At the end he was not good enough, had a bad day, as all the other riders had at some point in their careers and it was his fault, no one else. He is with the big boys now, so he must acting like one if he wants to succeed.

Despite all that DQ did a lot of bad calls for this Giro, that is a certainty by now

 

[Luthor]

Luther IMO and as a bottom line at that stage João was not at his best and sure we can speculate about what was behind it... for me the simple explanation is usually the right one, so...

• maybe he was in the wrong mood feeling that DQ was protecting Remco and neglecting him
• maybe he couldn't cope with the weather
• maybe he forgot to eat when he must to

At the end he was not good enough, had a bad day, as all the other riders had at some point in their careers and it was his fault, no one else. He is with the big boys now, so he must acting like one if he wants to succeed.

Despite all that DQ did a lot of bad calls for this Giro, that is a certainty by now

Obviously it was all those factors combined. The weather affected his body in a way he wasn't ready for it. He hasn't experienced many rainy mountain stages. Not saying DQS should be blamed but the support they gave him as a leader was non-existent. Usually a team tries to limit their losses, especially if it's just a bad day. Do you think DQS would've done the same if Remco was starting to drop? I don't think so. They would also wouldn't have done it if Almeida was the sole leader. Yes, it's mostly his fault but DQS as a support team for Almeida are a failure.

 

[groogster]

I'm not sure what you're getting at. Perhaps you believe that because i defend the team/Remco/João on certain points, that i can not be critical of them on other points?

I also have no idea what you mean about "If Almeida didn't lose 4 minutes"... But he did lose those 4 and a half minutes and Remco didn't. So what are you talking about (no offense, i don't know what you are saying).

yes, sure you can, if we all liked blue it would be a very sad world wouldn't it? You can and should always be critical about anything as long as you believe in it and be able to justify it. I respect that!

As for the 4 minutes losing time of Almeida on stage 4, never mind... I'm to tired too explain that to you atm, sorry

 

[Bonimenier]

Obviously it was all those factors combined. The weather affected his body in a way he wasn't ready for it. He hasn't experienced many rainy mountain stages. Not saying DQS should be blamed but the support they gave him as a leader was non-existent. Usually a team tries to limit their losses, especially if it's just a bad day. Do you think DQS would've done the same if Remco was starting to drop? I don't think so. They would also wouldn't have done it if Almeida was the sole leader. Yes, it's mostly his fault but DQS as a support team for Almeida are a failure.

That part is just a lie. He got dragged to the line by Knox and Serry, but could barely hold their wheel. He just had a complete offday.

 

[groogster]

That part is just a lie. He got dragged to the line by Knox and Serry, but could barely hold their wheel. He just had a complete offday.

Very true, in that day the only way that joão could be helped would be with a trailer pushing him and yes Knox and Serry were besides him at the finish line but, that's not the point here!

At that stage and as a co-leader (he was with the same time as Remco) he shouldn't be left alone at any point, that was after all the biggest sin appointed to him at stage 9, wasn't it? When his legs drained off he was all alone, and it should't be the case! Would it matter? Probably not but, he should had a least a domestique besides him at that point

 

[Bonimenier]

Very true, in that day the only way that joão could be helped would be with a trailer pushing him and yes Knox and Serry were besides him at the finish line but, that's not the point here!

At that stage and as a co-leader (he was with the same time as Remco) he shouldn't be left alone at any point, that was after all the biggest sin appointed to him at stage 9, wasn't it? When his legs drained off he was all alone, and it should't be the case! Would it matter? Probably not but, he should had a least a domestique besides him at that point

Sure, but I was reacting to the part where Luthor said that support was non-existent, which just is untrue. Not sure if Knox was dropped already when Almeida had his troubles. Serry certainly could've dropped back immediatly after he got caught by the peloton instead of pacing the group first. That was the weirdest part. Why would you pace if one of your co-leaders just got dropped?

 

[Luthor]

That part is just a lie. He got dragged to the line by Knox and Serry, but could barely hold their wheel. He just had a complete offday.

Long after he needed them. They paced him after they got dropped from the main group and couldn't keep up. By that time Almeida already gave up, you could see it on his face. He knew he lost the battle with Remco and if he lost just 2/3 minutes it would be too much for him anyway, DQS would still make him work for Remco. So how many leaders who get dropped in stage 4, don't get any teammate with them to limit their losses?

 

[Bonimenier]

Long after he needed them. They paced him after they got dropped from the main group and couldn't keep up. By that time Almeida already gave up, you could see it on his face. He knew he lost the battle with Remco and if he lost just 2/3 minutes it would be too much for him anyway, DQS would still make him work for Remco. So how many leaders who get dropped in stage 4, don't get any teammate with them to limit their losses?

It was long, but it wasn't extremely long before they got to him. You can't just make up things to make a point.

 

[pvieira91]

First time i've ever seen someone blame the team for a rider forgetting to eat. Must be Belgian bias.

I admire you remco fan boy. Even after a total destruction day you come here to continue your mission of underrating Almeida,

 

[pvieira91]

That part is just a lie. He got dragged to the line by Knox and Serry, but could barely hold their wheel. He just had a complete offday.

No, Knox was ahead of him, it was a coincidence they came together. Plus, remco, in stage 2, went for intermidate sprints for bonifications. That had to be a team decision

 

[PalcMora]

That part is just a lie. He got dragged to the line by Knox and Serry, but could barely hold their wheel. He just had a complete offday.

The fact they end up with the same time doesn't mean Knox and Serry were of great help to Almeida (they weren't there when help was needed...)

Those same two guys ended today's stage in the exact same group/time as Remco... by your perspective I feel its safe to assume that they did work for Remco today, otherwise he would have lost way more than the 25 minutes he already did...

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

No, Knox was ahead of him, it was a coincidence they came together. Plus, remco, in stage 2, went for intermidate sprints for bonifications. That had to be a team decision

No, Knox bridged to Almeida. Serry was ahead of him.

 

[groogster]

Sure, but I was reacting to the part where Luthor said that support was non-existent, which just is untrue. Not sure if Knox was dropped already when Almeida had his troubles. Serry certainly could've dropped back immediatly after he got caught by the peloton instead of pacing the group first. That was the weirdest part. Why would you pace if one of your co-leaders just got dropped?

That's precisely my point! It wouldn't matter at the end because João was drained but that shouldn't have happened!
The point is that DQ has been a disappointment as a team Before the start of this giro I had high hopes with DQ, it seemed a very strong GC team, at the level of Bahrain and Ineos but until now they are all underperforming

 

[Bonimenier]

The fact they end up with the same time doesn't mean Knox and Serry were of great help to Almeida (they were way behind him when help was needed...)

Those same two guys ended today's stage in the exact same group/time as Remco... by your perspective I feel its safe to assume that they did work for Remco today, otherwise he would have lost way more than the 25 minutes he already did...

Rewatch the final climb before telling things that aren't true. Serry was in the break and just got caught by the peloton when Almeida dropped so there is no way he was behind Almeida. People need to stop making up things to make their argument.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I admire you remco fan boy. Even after a total destruction day you come here to continue your mission of underrating Almeida,

Exactly how am i underrating him? I've told you yesterday, maybe you should start reading all my posts, dating from last year. You'll see how i underestimate him. Fanboy.

Here are some of my posts about Almeida, from 2020 to the week before this Giro. That's how much i underrate him:

He's a fighter. In Algarve he got dropped, fought back, went to the front and started pulling again. Finished top 10. In Burgos he also got dropped, early, rode past Bennett, Yates, Chavez, Carapaz... To finish on the podium. In Tour de L'ain he got dropped on the climb, with still a long way to go on the plateau, only finished a few seconds behind the front group after having done most of the chasing solo.

It's certainly possible to drop him, but if they want to get rid of him, it will prove to be a process, not an occurrance. He seems very tenacious.

Like i said on the first page, he's a fighter. They will not easily "drop" him and be able to call it a day. If Algarve, Burgos, Tour de l'Ain etc have taught us anything, it is that he can sustain his pace and doesn't really crack. I think he will gradually lose time in the real mountain stages. A minute in one stage, 40 seconds in another etc. I agree it's unlikely he will win, but he could still finish top5, which would still be a huge result for him.

He lost a bit more time than i expected, but he still didn't "crack". Looks like top 5 is a lock, and with the ITT, he could even still make the podium (though that won't be easy) if he doesn't lose more time.

Podium isn't completely impossible with the ITT. But unlikely.

So, according to Indeleiderstrui.nl (who are known for recycling news, but they don't give a source for their information here) Almeida must have stated he has forged a stronger bond with Masnada and Evenepoel and the trainers that were present at the Sierra Nevada training camp.

With the team still playing him as (one of) the teamleader(s) for the Giro, i have to wonder whether he has decided to stay at DQT. Like i said in the transfer thread a while ago, a pro manager with tight connections at UAE, told me he didn't believe Almeida would be going to UAE, since he would likely have heard about it. I also believe he'd be wise to stay at DQT for the time being. The team is investing in support riders for Evenepoel anyway, and for the time being, there is no other real GC rider at DQT. Knowing Evenepoel can't ride 3 GT's per year, that means there is always one or two GT's where Almeida will be able to ride for himself.

Well, it is still possible for a guy his age -while old- to still improve on certain aspects. We've seen McNulty take a big step since last year, why wouldn't Almeida be able to do the same? Both are the same age. I also don't think he'll ever be an elite climber, but he's a fighter with a big engine. Also don't forget he wasted a lot of energy last year (needlessly) defending his jersey. Had he never worn pink, he might actually have come a lot closer to winning the Giro in the final ITT.

Then we can say Bernal is nowhere close to his former level, Buchmann has no chance, Etc. I'm not claiming he'll be beter, but it's still possible. I'll wait for week 3, that's when it counts.

Indeed, i already mentioned that in a previous post, but many people seem to forget or dismiss it. He wore and defended the jersey for two weeks, on and off the bike, it drains energy.

 

[arquipelagoGulag]

Remco in today's post stage interview:

"We knew that this could happen. In the end I've been training only 2 months [my 2,5 was apprently an overestimation xd] towards this Giro, which is nothing and not enough to be 100% race ready."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1396847864228323331

View: https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1396847864228323331

These statements make it all even more ridiculous.

So why the *** do you have the dorsal 91, why did you not work for Almeida on stage 4, and finally why did you spend days being towed by Almeida.

 

[Bonimenier]

These statements make it all even more ridiculous.

So why the *** do you have the dorsal 91, why did you not work for Almeida on stage 4, and finally why did you spend days being towed by Almeida.

RCS gave the numbers and DQS was too late to change it.
They thought it could happen, not that it definitely was going to happen. His numbers were good in training so on the basis of what he did before his injury they made him co-leader. I hope that answers your second question.
And lastly because Almeida lost so much time on stage 4 that the obvious thing to do, was making Evenepoel the leader.

It's really not that complex.

 

[limak_]

RCS gave the numbers and DQS was too late to change it.
They thought it could happen, not that it definitely was going to happen. His numbers were good in training so on the basis of what he did before his injury they made him co-leader. I hope that answers your second question.
And lastly because Almeida lost so much time on stage 4 that the obvious thing to do, was making Evenepoel the leader.

It's really not that hard if you use some braincells.

Sorry, but you're not right here.

I've already explained it before. Remco cracking at some point of this Giro was something that actually must have happened. Or at least it was much more likely to happen than not.

 

[Luthor]

It was long, but it wasn't extremely long before they got to him. You can't just make up things to make a point.

Of course it was long, Knox was behind and Serry paced the peloton for a good while. You're making things up by doing some estimates which you have no idea. DQS had Masnada and Serry in that group when Almeida got dropped. When you have teammates in front of you and you are a leader usually one of them tries to help you. One of them, not both. Instead Serry is put to ride a high pace to keep up with Ciccone while Masnada was unbothered and finished one minute behind Evenepoel.

 

[Bonimenier]

Sorry, but you're not right here.

I've already explained it before. Remco cracking at some point of this Giro was something that actually must have happened. Or at least it was much more likely to happen than not.

Was it dumb from DQS to think that Evenepoel could compete for 3 weeks? Maybe yes, but hindsight is 20/20. It wouldn't be the first time he did something that seems unlikely beforehand.