João Almeida - Bota Lume

[Peyroteo94]

Portuguese sports media (Record) is saying that he’ll extend with UAE until 2028

Bye bye Ayuso. But I'm not happy with this.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Even more disappointing about the crash with how the race is going right now. This year could have been his big chance for the podium.

 

[Squire]

The crash looks even more unfortunate now. Would have been an easy podium spot barring extraterrestrial Lipowitz.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Almeida has the chance to do the funniest thing and beat Vingegaard and Ayuso but I think best case scenario is second with maybe a stage win.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Almeida has the chance to do the funniest thing and beat Vingegaard and Ayuso but I think best case scenario is second with maybe a stage win.

I actually think Ayuso will be better than him. Easy GT + broken rib, Almeida will struggle to beat Ayuso. Vingegaard will win the Vuelta quite easily. He is miles better than everybody else not named Pogacar.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

I actually think Ayuso will be better than him. Easy GT + broken rib, Almeida will struggle to beat Ayuso. Vingegaard will win the Vuelta quite easily. He is miles better than everybody else not named Pogacar.

I don‘t see why Vingegaard should be better than at the 2023 Vuelta considering he‘s looked worse than 2023 all season. If one of Ayuso and especially Almeida can find some of their early season legs, they could challenge Vingegaard.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I don‘t see why Vingegaard should be better than at the 2023 Vuelta considering he‘s looked worse than 2023 all season. If one of Ayuso and especially Almeida can find some of their early season legs, they could challenge Vingegaard.

He lost to Pogacar but still was miles better than Lipo.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

He lost to Pogacar but still was miles better than Lipo.

And in 2023 he beat Pogačar and was the same miles better than everyone else but he was inconsistent and not dominant during the Vuelta. Almeida this year should be way better than 2023 Ayuso and could challenge August Vingegaard.

 

[P4rthen0n]

I don‘t see why Vingegaard should be better than at the 2023 Vuelta considering he‘s looked worse than 2023 all season. If one of Ayuso and especially Almeida can find some of their early season legs, they could challenge Vingegaard.

2025 Vingegaard is notably stronger than any version of 2023 Vingegaard, even though he has been less successful this year (but that is interely due to Pogacar).
And he's one of the mutants. Mutants are always the favourites against non-mutants.

I would say that if Almeida goes into the Vuelta in his absolute top shape and Vingegaard is missing a step, than we may have a fight.
Almeida and Ayuso must do the 1-2 punch to wear down Vingegaard. That may also give them an edge.
Otherwise it's hard to imagine Vingegaard losing too much time either in ITT or the climbs.

 

[Saint Paul de Vence]

2025 Vingegaard is notably stronger than any version of 2023 Vingegaard, even though he has been less successful this year (but that is interely due to Pogacar).
And he's one of the mutants. Mutants are always the favourites against non-mutants.

I would say that if Almeida goes into the Vuelta in his absolute top shape and Vingegaard is missing a step, than we may have a fight.
Almeida and Ayuso must do the 1-2 punch to wear down Vingegaard. That may also give them an edge.
Otherwise it's hard to imagine Vingegaard losing too much time either in ITT or the climbs.

Almeida and Ayuso working together what an epic story for the Vuelta

 

[P4rthen0n]

Almeida and Ayuso working together what an epic story for the Vuelta

Ayuso knows he will become the leader if he gets in a few seconds or 1 minute up with the red jersey. So he will attack as soon as possible.
Almeida can't close his own team mate... and since he's a diesel, he can't really yoyo with the whole GC group (other than Vingegaard) on his wheel. He'll be stuck.
Soler and Jay Vine will see it as the perfect opportunity to get a stage win or the KOM jersey.

What a circus it will be.

 

[noob]

Ayuso knows he will become the leader if he gets in a few seconds or 1 minute up with the red jersey. So he will attack as soon as possible.
Almeida can't close his own team mate... and since he's a diesel, he can't really yoyo with the whole GC group (other than Vingegaard) on his wheel. He'll be stuck.
Soler and Jay Vine will see it as the perfect opportunity to get a stage win or the KOM jersey.

What a circus it will be.

Remember Catalunya 2022 🤣🤣🤣🤣 He did diesel past Ayuso and Ayuso didn't help him since 🤣🤣🤣

But honestly I think their dynamic will be 80% of the race.

I assume they will have more teammates going for top 10 and it might benefit them. Vine, Soler could be the threat that puts pressure on Jonas.

But I assume Jonas will win anyway.

 

[noob]

I actually think Ayuso will be better than him. Easy GT + broken rib, Almeida will struggle to beat Ayuso. Vingegaard will win the Vuelta quite easily. He is miles better than everybody else not named Pogacar.

Agreed! While in house rivalry gives Almeida the extreme extra motivation he might still have some lingering pain and definitely not ideal preparation!

 

[SHAD0W93]

Leaving the flame that’s the Pogacar thread and throwing some flames on a silent feud not seen since 2022.

"Almeida is better than Remco Evenepoel" - Portuguese expert believes UAE man has the edge on Evenepoel

At 59, Manuel Correia has earned the nickname “the Mourinho of cycling,” and not without reason. As sports director of Gi Group Holding - Simoldes - UDO, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the ca...

cyclinguptodate.com

 

[Peyroteo94]

Leaving the flame that’s the Pogacar thread and throwing some flames on a silent feud not seen since 2022.

"Almeida is better than Remco Evenepoel" - Portuguese expert believes UAE man has the edge on Evenepoel

At 59, Manuel Correia has earned the nickname “the Mourinho of cycling,” and not without reason. As sports director of Gi Group Holding - Simoldes - UDO, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the ca...

cyclinguptodate.com

In the last 3 years (2023-2025), Remco had better results in 2024 and João in 2023. This year, let's see what João can do.

 

[P4rthen0n]

João Almeida said yesterday that the grudge between him and Ayuso was overblown and is long gone.
Ayuso said yesterday that he'll go for GC and, if he can't fight for GC, then he'll work for Almeida.

Who will pull once Vingegaard attacks?

This should be fun.

 

[YavorD]

João Almeida said yesterday that the grudge between him and Ayuso was overblown and is long gone.
Ayuso said yesterday that he'll go for GC and, if he can't fight for GC, then he'll work for Almeida.

Who will pull once Vingegaard attacks?

This should be fun.

Nah, after Vingegaard attacks it will be a survival mode.
It will be extremely funny if for some reason Vingegaard is rather weаk/not a contender.
Then we may be in for a treat between our favourite latinos.

 

[P4rthen0n]

UAE doesn't give two *** about Almeida's GC hopes.
UAE only takes GC seriously if Pogacar is racing.

Unfortunately this is what João Almeida signed up for until 2028. If he wanted to be taken as a serious GT contender, he shouldn't have signed that extension with UAE.

 

[AmRacer]

UAE doesn't give two *** about Almeida's GC hopes.
UAE only takes GC seriously if Pogacar is racing.

Unfortunately this is what João Almeida signed up for until 2028. If he wanted to be taken as a serious GT contender, he shouldn't have signed that extension with UAE.

It's up to him to deliver, but it's extremely difficult when Jonas is racing.

 

[P4rthen0n]

It's up to him to deliver, but it's extremely difficult when Jonas is racing.

Of course Almeida is the clear underdog against Vingegaard.
But that's not the point. The point is that UAE should be set up to provide him the best possible chance at success.
In Pogacar's case, a strong and fast leadout is enough because that suits Pogacar perfectly.
In Almeida's case, he's a diesel and UAE should be having a train with a long and progressively harder pace, until everybody other than Vingegaard is dropped.

We're not seeing that and honestly I'm very doubtful UAE will give Almeida anything close to that.

 

[Unchained]

UAE doesn't give two *** about Almeida's GC hopes.
UAE only takes GC seriously if Pogacar is racing.

Unfortunately this is what João Almeida signed up for until 2028. If he wanted to be taken as a serious GT contender, he shouldn't have signed that extension with UAE.

UAE cares about every race big and small .
@2+ years ago they said in multiple statements from team management that they want fans, racers, other teams to see them race with a certain style, look different than others.. From comments both positive and negative, from race results I would say that they are 1000% achieving their goals..

 

[AmRacer]

Of course Almeida is the clear underdog against Vingegaard.
But that's not the point. The point is that UAE should be set up to provide him the best possible chance at success.
In Pogacar's case, a strong and fast leadout is enough because that suits Pogacar perfectly.
In Almeida's case, he's a diesel and UAE should be having a train with sustained hard pace, until everybody other than Vingegaard is dropped.
That's not what we're seeing. Not even close.

I'm not sure Almeida could follow such train. I do believe, if Almeida had pushed up the mountain today, only Jonas would at his wheel eventually. Jonas hesitated to pull.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Hopefully he has some great form in the next two weeks.

'He doesn't really pull a lot of times, right?' – João Almeida frustrated by Jonas Vingegaard's lack of cooperation at Vuelta a España

Portuguese rider flicked elbow to no response from Dane up final climb on stage 7, but admits 'he didn't really have to, I get it'

www.cyclingnews.com

 

[BubbaChuck]

Almeida on Vingegaard: "Today he didn't necessarily have to push hard, so I'm not surprised that he didn't, and in a way I understand. That's how he is: he's not someone who pulls much, right?" Shots fired.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Almeida on Vingegaard: "Today he didn't necessarily have to push hard, so I'm not surprised that he didn't, and in a way I understand. That's how he is: he's not someone who pulls much, right?" Shots fired.

Good quote and right in the money. Jonas and Visma are always very picky when it comes to places to gain time, and the vast majoiry of stages are apparantly marked to just follow, and Jonas rarely deviates from the plan in the morning even when it could benefit you. Why would you not help Almeida at that point to gain time on the others? Maybe he's not as strong as expected, but its very weird to see the race favorite race like this. He should thank his lucky stars than Pogacar aint here, because chances are he will still win the race racing an ultraconservative race and only open on Angliru on stage 13. Everyone who hoped for a more aggressive version of Vingegaard with Pogacar, including me, should be quite disappointed...