João Almeida - Bota Lume

[Pozzovivo]

They could have taken him to Tirreno and Del Toro to Paris-Nice.

Sure. Would make sense but for IDT participation in Strade (which they for some reason think is a priority).

 

[Squire]

Illness-prone pre-2025 Almeida is back.

 

[noob]

From his Facebook 3 hours ago:

"Unfortunately I won’t do Paris Nice this year.
A few days after Algarve I got sick with flu symptoms and not being able to complete a training session until 4 days to the start of the race I don’t feel good and fit to race, especially such a hard race as Paris Nice. Today, I am back feeling healthy and my natural motivation to train and push myself is back but my fitness just isn’t there. I will focus now to be ready for our next goals which will be Cataluña and Giro! It’s never enough to thank the team @uae_team_emirates for their support, their trust and believing in me. Sometimes when we crash we break bones, we get wounds and we see the pain and the damage our body takes. When we get sick, damage is made but is just less visible. Don’t crash and don’t get sick. Take care of yourself 🫶

 

[jotafap]

As long as he is in full form at the Giro, I'm okay with it. But that will be the ultimate test for him. With Del Toro coming up fast, he is surely under pressure about being the second GT guy for UAE, behind Tadej. Sadly, he has to face Jonas again, so the odds are not good.

 

[Didinho]

I was eager to see him battle Vingo again. He was my favorite for Paris-Nice. Better get fully healthy and skip than make it worse. I’m hoping he can take his first GT win this Giro.

 

[Lequack]

So is he still sick?

 

[Salvarani]

So is he still sick?

Havent heard so, but his form isnt there. Likely because he was sick.

Did he also have a crash here or something?

If not, it is just likely not having the form because sickness and losing the momentum from early races.

Not ideal, but still well over a month until the Giro starts so he still has time to improve if not suffering any setback.

 

[vappa]

Havent heard so, but his form isnt there. Likely because he was sick.

Did he also have a crash here or something?

If not, it is just likely not having the form because sickness and losing the momentum from early races.

Not ideal, but still well over a month until the Giro starts so he still has time to improve if not suffering any setback.

Yes, on Friday on the last descent, followed by a valley and a final climb Coll de Pal

 

[iBanesto]

Almeida on track for his worst major stage race finish outside of the Grand Tours.

His worst finish was 11th!