"Getting support from my country is very special" - João Almeida overawed by reaction following maiden Grand Tour stage win

Following the taking of his first Grand Tour stage win on the sixteenth day of racing at the Giro d'Italia, João Almeida quite rightly has been receiving praise by the bucket load. The support he's been given from back home in Portugal is especially important to him.

“It feels good, getting support from my country is very special. I want to give them even more reasons to smile," The UAE Team Emirates leader who currently sits second in the general classification told Eurosport following the conclusion to the 17th stage of the race. “The podium in Rome would be perfect, whatever place it is. But I will give everything."

Stage 18 presents another opportunity for the general classification riders to battle it out for the Maglia Rosa with plenty of climbing and high percentage climbs.

“We'll see how it goes. To be honest, Geraint Thomas only has four riders around him, so I think they will take it easy," Almeida predicts. "His team has had a lot of bad luck. The initiative will therefore probably come from us or Jumbo-Visma in the coming days.”