Ardennes and Tour de Suisse on the schedule for João Almeida for the first time as Portuguese prepares Tour de France debut

The calendar for UAE Team Emirates' Portuguese rider João Almeida for 2024 is largely set. With the Tour de France as the main goal, Almeida will take on a set of new races where he'll test himself.

With details still to be worked out regarding the final part of his sporting season, which depends on various factors, Almeida will not be going to the Giro d'Italia for the first time since joining the World Tour, and it is therefore certain that he will not be defending the third place he took in last year's race.

His long-awaited return to Portugal in UAE colors will take place in February at the Figueira Champions Classic, where he will start his season, then head south to compete in the Volta ao Algarve," as reported by Record.

The Portuguese cyclist will then head to Paris-Nice, compete in the Vuelta a Catalunya and take on the Ardennes Classics; Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallone and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

João Almeida will finalize his preparations for the major objective of his season, the Tour de Suisse, followed by his long-awaited debut in the Tour de France.

Joxean Matxin had already lifted the veil on four of the names that will be present at the Tour de France: Tadej Pogacar, Juan Ayuso, Adam Yates and Almeida. So in the Portuguese rider's debut year at the Tour de France, we will have a super UAE, against the undisputed winner of the last few editions, the now named Team Visma | Lease a Bike.

João Almeida will certainly be in Paris to represent Portugal at the 2024 Olympic Games, but the team has yet to decide whether his calendar will follow with the Tour de Pologne or whether he will do a second Grand Tour in one season, the Vuelta a España.

Article written by Carlos Silva