LET’S GO. VAMOS 🇪🇸🔥 #LaVuelta24 #UAETeamEmirates #WeAreUAE
3 reasons why João Almeida is the top favourite to win 2024 Vuelta a Espana
CyclingFriday, 16 August 2024 at 19:00
The 2024 Vuelta a Espana leaves Portugal and there is no doubt that João Almeida is one of the big favourites to take the Red Jersey by the time the race concludes in Madrid on September 8th.
Our Spanish language sister channel, Ciclismoaldia have been diving deep into their analysis of the final Grand Tour of the campaign and in this article, they give 3 reasons why we think the Portuguese climber is the leading contender to finish on top step of the podium.
1. He was the best of the mortals at the Tour de France
At the 2024 Tour de France, the Portuguese of UAE Team Emirates finished fourth only behind the Big Three of the current Grand Tour cycling world: his teammate Tadej Pogacar, two-time Maillot Jaune winner Jonas Vingegaard and the double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel.
Although he worked hard in support of his leader, Almeida had the strength to limit his losses after Pogacar's inevitable attack finally came and proved the best of the rest behind the podium, finishing in 4th overall.
2. He has the best team to support him
There is no doubt that UAE Team Emirates brings with them the best team to this Vuelta a Espana. Not only because it is the only one that has two riders who can win the race: Almeida and Adam Yates, but because almost all the "domestiqueas" are cyclists of great quality, that in other teams would fight for GC themselves.
In the mountains, men like Marc Soler, Brandon McNulty, Jay Vine and Pavel Sivakov have more than proved to be very reliable men capable of being with their leaders in the most complicated moments. The team is completed by the young talents Isaac del Toro (we know what he is capable of, although he is facing his first 3 week race) and Filippo Baroncini (third in the last Italian time trial championships).
3. Form of rivals are something of a question mark
Arguably Almeida's closest rival is teammate Adam Yates. At the 2024 Tour de Suisse, the pair worked in tandem, winning multiple stages and finishing one-two in the general classification.
Multiple Vuelta winner Primoz Roglic, comes into this edition short of form after his abandon at the Tour de France, so it is difficult to say that the Slovenian will be better than Almeida. He has beaten the rest of his rivals recently though, and the time trials favour him against Spaniards Mikel Landa, Enric Mas or Carlos Rodriguez. Also against defending champion Sepp Kuss.
Let us know in the comments if you agree or if you consider that another rider is for you the favourite to win the Vuelta a Espana 2024 over Almeida!
claps 3visitors 952
Just in
Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter today!
Nov 05, 13:04
0
Popular news
Latest comments
- "25-34 are only 13% of USA Cyclings membership" Wow. I own a bike shop, and that number comports both with what I see in the business as well as on the road and trails, but it's somehow hugely demoralizing to see it quantified. Thirteen percent?verve82519-12-2024
- What super dutch talent are we talking about?awp18-12-2024
- Yes, 25-34 are only 13% of USA Cyclings membership.awp18-12-2024
- I will take the old days when you could track your teams across 8 years. Can't imagine a new fan finding it easy.Sweep18-12-2024
- Pick better parents and/or better doping agents.
ChoppyWarburton18-12-2024 - The bike industry situation is the same as the future Dutch talent pool discussion , it’s a fakely perceived problem due to an exceptional period that’s come to an end.Mistermaumau18-12-2024
- It's all a part of the fun. Sometimes it takes a few races before you can tell who's who and what's going on.
santiagobenites18-12-2024 - Every year cycling teams force their fans to memorize the jersey colors of all the teams so you can tell which team is doing what in a race. Not like normal sports where the jersey's and numbers mostly stay the same year after year.Sweep18-12-2024
- Genetics? No, mostly PEDS. Armstrong proved that.Sweep18-12-2024
- Sadly the number of dorks is decreasing every year. In the US the vast majority are over 40 years. E-bikes are crushing the road bike market.Sweep18-12-2024