João Almeida - Bota Lume

[Peyroteo94]

Okay, that makes sense.

He must have overtaken quite a few riders on the climb yesterday, though. It was hard not to laugh a little when he showed up in fifth (I'm not accusing him of not riding for Pog by the way, I do think he tried as well as he could).

He doesn't have problems in working for Pogacar. You saw that in Adet. He will be very important to maintain a steady gap for Pogacar before being launched by Yates.

 

[James M]

Think he is one of the best mountain domestique you could have actually. He has a engine, usually like to ride that steady tempo anyway its his prefered style and super strong.

To bad im hearing he will go to Astana or? Not that UAE will lack in any department that team is super deep.

 

[staubsauger]

Astana!?

He secures Giro d'Italia leadership (maybe even Tour de France), but seriously Almeida is too good for nowadays Astana. They're certain to relegate.

Yes I called him a good GT leader for a smaller team last week. But Astana wasn't exactly on my cards. They seem to have collapsed completely.

 

[will-10]

Is he enjoying the race? Both of the last two days he was caught by Anders Mielke right after the finish and in both instances he seemed rather subdued. Not really the mood for a teammate to the guy who just crushed the field on both stages.

I still wonder why they're even allowed to do those interviews when the guys haven't even got to their soigneurs yet. In Almeida's shoes I'd be riding straight past

 

[iBanesto]

 

[carolina]

EXCLUSIVO: “Espero um dia melhorar a posição do Joaquim Agostinho, e também ganhar uma etapa” – João Almeida no dia de descanso do Tour de France - Portuguese Cycling Magazine - Page 2

João Almeida sobre o paralelo com Joaquim Agostinho, o papel dentro da UAE Team Emirates e o seu próximo objetivo. - Page 2

portuguesecyclingmagazine.com

TLDR:
- not feeling great during the last few days
- legs were better in tour de suisse
- would like to win a stage, but won't be this year
- 100% focused on helping Pogacar take the win

 

[scribers]

Seems like he enjoys racing in July and will be back

 

[CyclistAbi]

To me he doesn't look happy being in this role.

 

[Peyroteo94]

To me he doesn't look happy being in this role.

Can you explain why? Or just a feeling?

 

[CyclistAbi]

Can you explain why? Or just a feeling?

I looked at the last video posted above and not an ounce of happiness in it.

 

[noob]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGYXa5onMCw


The hair the smiles, the voice. This is too adorable!

Patrick Broe saying Almeida is a Portuguese water spaniel https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Portuguese+water+spaniel&t=brave&iax=images&ia=images

Too funny and very on point with his eyes and hair 🤣

 

[ExperienPT]

Super Solid Ride of Almeida on this "Big Lap"!
4th was the realistic best position for him after Roglic dropped.
He was the best of the rest, and the gap from Almeida to Remco seems to be the same gap from Remco to Pogacar.

Also 3rd best ride of a Portuguese cyclist ever on Tour, just behind Joaquim Agostinho (2x3rd). Who could have been one of the greatest if he hadn't a bit of Roglic on him

Now La Vuelta, he will be competing with the best of the rest plus Roglic, think a top 3 is a realistic aspiration for him. And if the stars align who knows?

BOTA LUME!

 

[James M]

Really great ride by him he deserves praise. He deserve to take on leader role in Vuelta after this.

Yates and Politt also really really important. Politt honestly was a beast. Sivakov just doing so much on flats too with soler and after Ayuso went out they got even more to do. Just brilliant from them aswell. The team is so strong.

 

[noob]

This thread being dead 2 days before the vuelta? Everyone with bated breath if he's gonna get sick again? I am.

 

[carolina]

He's going to win the Vuelta.

 

[Peyroteo94]

He's going to win the Vuelta.

Portuguese power!! Bring it on!! Quero um c@ralhinho das Caldas nos teus rivais!

 

[ExperienPT]

BOTAAAAA LUMEEEEEE

 

[noob]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnO3CxMF7Q4

 

[noob]

In his life form

 

[Peyroteo94]

In his life form

Maybe but he still is inferior to Roglic

 

[noob]

Maybe but he still is inferior to Roglic

Not maybe. He is. I didn't expect him to be better than Rogla. I had no idea of the shape of either of them. I think Almeida would be very happy with silver though.

 

[noob]

Maybe I should clarify what I mean; I meant Almeida is clearly in his best shape ever. Whether he's better than Rogla that's to see in the coming weeks. But even if he obviously wants to win vuelta I still believe he'll be happy with silver as it means he's better than last year. It will also mean he's then better than Ayuso (and Yates), which I honestly believe is part of his goals this season. Obviously not anything he can say out loud, but in house competition definitely seems to give him extra fuel

 

[noob]

He is still the only GC rider to not have to DNF because of a crash since 2021 right? I still find that a huge talent in itself. There can't be anyone better at staying on his bike/avoiding injury.

 

[SHAD0W93]

He is still the only GC rider to not have to DNF because of a crash since 2021 right? I still find that a huge talent in itself. There can't be anyone better at staying on his bike/avoiding injury.

Just gets sick frequently it feels like.

 

[noob]

Just gets sick frequently it feels like.

Exactly! And that he cannot exactly help. Ehrm...

(Even if it I have seen his nose outside his masks more than once. So he is obviously not as risk averse outside the road 🤔which I gather might lead to consequences on the road )