João Almeida - Bota Lume

[Salvarani]

All UAE riders are better than ever! 27 wins this season!

Yup, it is looking good!

And the Almeida prophecy was right. Awesome to see this version of him. Best there has been!

 

[noob]

In 2021, he already was winning GC races.

Actually for me, 2021 was the year where i saw the best version of Almeida, and i think it was a shame the fact he leaved quick step when he was improving a lot there.

He was the strongest GT rider in the third week of the Giro 2021.

Yeah but smaller GC races. Agree on third week of the giro 2021. Imo it always looked like some sort of anxiety/(stress), a word he even used himself after winning his first stage in Pologne.

But as a matter of fact (the only thing that matters in sport is an illusion since winning is but a temporary state that says nothing about "improvement"). I won't fall for for it again

 

[Cookster15]

Glad to see Almeida deliver. Enric Mas is a good benchmark - and Almeida demolished him. I'll only temper the praise by pointing beyond Mas it was a weak field.

 

[SHAD0W93]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1911070236410884534

View: https://x.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1911070236410884534

Pretty good for not improving and his best shape in 2021. Almeida has gotten better every year at what he’s good at, he just hasn’t progressed on his weaknesses but he’s gained more confidence the last two years. As has been said, climbing times and watts/kg aren’t the only deciding factor if someone is improving, nor is it comparable across editions. 2024 and 2025 Almeida beats the previous years handily and so far he’s in better shape at this part of the season vs previously. He’s looking good for another top 4 at TdF and hopefully TdR or TdS win.


2025
Almeida 2 stage wins and points
2nd 1:52
3rd 1:59
10th 3:50

2024
Ayuso 0 wins and youth
2nd 0:42
3rd 0:44
10th 3:07

2023
Vingegaard 3 wins and points
2nd 1:12
3rd 1:29
10th 1:50

 

[noob]

I must be a complete noob as I have hardly ever even heard of Romandie. Like it's the race I have always skipped so I don't even know what it is. If Remco is going there though one can't say it's a weak field so I might watch it then 🤣🤣🤣🥰

 

[scribers]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1911094036426784966

View: https://x.com/teamemiratesuae/status/1911094036426784966?s=46&t=X4NqNG7J5ZQ-MxPOi53ECQ


I hope he gets a bonus for wearing this

 

[Red Rick]

Pretty good for not improving and his best shape in 2021. Almeida has gotten better every year at what he’s good at, he just hasn’t progressed on his weaknesses but he’s gained more confidence the last two years. As has been said, climbing times and watts/kg aren’t the only deciding factor if someone is improving, nor is it comparable across editions. 2024 and 2025 Almeida beats the previous years handily and so far he’s in better shape at this part of the season vs previously. He’s looking good for another top 4 at TdF and hopefully TdR or TdS win.


2025
Almeida 2 stage wins and points
2nd 1:52
3rd 1:59
10th 3:50

2024
Ayuso 0 wins and youth
2nd 0:42
3rd 0:44
10th 3:07

2023
Vingegaard 3 wins and points
2nd 1:12
3rd 1:29
10th 1:50

2014 Nibali > 2024 Pogacar confirmed he was just so gracious to gift a few stages to the breakaways

 

[Netserk]

Pretty good for not improving and his best shape in 2021. Almeida has gotten better every year at what he’s good at, he just hasn’t progressed on his weaknesses but he’s gained more confidence the last two years. As has been said, climbing times and watts/kg aren’t the only deciding factor if someone is improving, nor is it comparable across editions. 2024 and 2025 Almeida beats the previous years handily and so far he’s in better shape at this part of the season vs previously. He’s looking good for another top 4 at TdF and hopefully TdR or TdS win.


2025
Almeida 2 stage wins and points
2nd 1:52
3rd 1:59
10th 3:50

2024
Ayuso 0 wins and youth
2nd 0:42
3rd 0:44
10th 3:07

2023
Vingegaard 3 wins and points
2nd 1:12
3rd 1:29
10th 1:50

It helps when 3 riders would normally have beaten Mas in GC without misfortune (Schachmann, Lipowitz, Skjelmose).

 

[Extinction]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1911094036426784966

View: https://x.com/teamemiratesuae/status/1911094036426784966?s=46&t=X4NqNG7J5ZQ-MxPOi53ECQ


I hope he gets a bonus for wearing this

Classic Basque head dress, such traditional things make me feel warm and fuzzy. I don't know about you.

 

[SHAD0W93]

2014 Nibali > 2024 Pogacar confirmed he was just so gracious to gift a few stages to the breakaways

Nibali was also able to gain time on the cobbles unlike Pogacar
But Nibali could have won a lot of stages that year and KoM if he wanted too.

It helps when 3 riders would normally have beaten Mas in GC without misfortune (Schachmann, Lipowitz, Skjelmose).

Mas was helped a lot by that and Almeida with the gap to second, but that’s a part of cycling.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Congratulations for the GC win and definitely a new level of confidence involved.

 

[Lequack]

Chat with Mas with subtitles

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKgu4BZsPiw

 

[Rou]

Today is an important day for Joao. We will see if he can be a reliable option as a sole leader for UAE at the Vuelta.
If he doesn't perform Ayuso will be there (most likely Pog will miss it).

 

[Peyroteo94]

Close to win TdR. Lenny was clearly racing for the stage but a nice show from Almeida, he was the strongest today! Now, get the job done tomorrow

 

[Rou]

His problem is he can't make an attack. Climbing like a diesel helps but when your opponent is close to your level you are only dragging him.

 

[Peyroteo94]

His problem is he can't make an attack. Climbing like a diesel helps but when your opponent is close to your level you are only dragging him.

He will be a dom to Tadej so don't worry. If he gets a future leadership, don't forget his TT is still better than most of GC riders.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Hopefully he rides a good TT and gets another win. Definitely was trying to distance Vine above all.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Looks like another one in the bag, definitely a successful spring campaign so far.

 

[tobydawq]

Second one-week WT win of the year. What a season he is having.

 

[Didinho]

Always been rooting for Joao and seeing him so strong this year, with full confidence of making the race himself. Impressive WT win again.

 

[Salvarani]

Congrats Joao!

Great performance.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Yeah baby! Only a fool cannot how much better he is. Great performance! I hope he can fight for the TdF podium if Pogacar doesn't really need him.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Great win and season so far for Almeida!!! Hopefully he can notch another win at TdS before supporting Pog to another win and Almeida getting a top 5.

 

[Rou]

Some poster will now say: '' This is the same Almeida of last year ''. Clear improvement under Sola. Another nail for the bald fraud.

 

[Panda Claws]

Bad move. Now he'll have to ride UAE Tour next year.