"Blind, with a lack of visibility, lots of bumps in the road" - João Almeoda blasts 'dangerous' descent in Worlds' time-trial

The 2024 World Championship kicks off this Sunday in Zurich with the elite time trial. Portugal will be represented by João Almeida and Nelson Oliveira. "Bota Lume" was at last year's World Time Trial in Glasgow. He had a discreet result, a 23rd place, 3 minutes and 7 seconds behind the winner Remco Evenepoel, over a distance of 47.8 km, one of the longest the 26-year-old cyclist has ever faced.

"I think this year it's going to be a bit longer [46.1 km]. I think it's going to be a good time trial, a very fast time trial, with some climbs... with a bit of a dangerous descent, to be honest. But I think it suits our qualities, so it's all a question of leg strength," Almeida explained in a statement to the Portuguese Cycling Federation.

For Almeida, it's a special race, as it marks the UAE Team Emirates rider's return to competition after having abandoned the Vuelta a España, for which he started as favorite, due to a Covid-19 infection and he enters this race with no ambitions: "I don't take any result as a personal goal, it's also the first post-Vuelta, post-Covid race. I know I'm in good shape and I'm going to do my best."

The Portuguese cyclist also points out flaws in the time trial course, but admits that the irregularity of the route could favor the Portuguese. "I think the climbs are good for us, as well as the descents. I think we're also good descenders. There's always the danger factor on that last descent. There are areas that are a bit blind, with a lack of visibility, lots of bumps in the road, which is not at all suitable for a time trial. But all in all, it's the same for everyone and I think everything will go well at the end of the day."