There seems to be some misunderstanding as to which of the two riders has the bigger status within the team, and within the peloton. It seems some people here are thinking that it is João who has the bigger status, because he got the opportunity to ride for himself last year, when Evenepoel got injured, and he finished 4th in the weakest Giro of all time. As if it has somehow put him on the same level as Evenepoel. He did good last year, but he was a stand-in. Evenepoel's situation was unclear to everyone since they could not know for long if he would get in good shape or not. But in case Evenepoel got in shape, it should always have been clear who #1 was. Evenepoel has 14 career wins at 21 and has been unable to race for 9 months. Almeida has 0 wins and turns 23.
Remco took 2 free seconds that were lying there to be taken. He doesn't need João's permission to take them.
Sure, and now we know what he was thinking. And it doesn't speak in his favor.