"Hopefully this is just the beginning" - Joao Almeida secures first Grand Tour podium finish at the Giro d'Italia

A third-placed finish on the brutal stage 20 individual time-trial at the Giro d'Italia secured Joao Almeida a third-placed finish in the general classification. A first career Grand Tour podium finish for the Portuguese rider.

"I think this is very good, I have achieved my goal. I also won a stage," the UAE Team Emirates leader revealed to Eurosport in a post-stage interview immediately following the dramatic conclusion to the stage that saw Primoz Roglic take the stage win and the Maglia Rosa from Geraint Thomas.

For Almeida though, this performance marks a continuation of the impressive progression he has seen in recent years. “I am very satisfied and look forward to the future. Hopefully this is just the beginning," he declares. “I tried to put in a good effort and not blow myself up. I think I did a good climb, getting better every kilometer. I'm very content. Primoz was just incredible.”

“I expected them to be faster than me. I think I was in the hot seat for twenty seconds, so I couldn't really enjoy it,” Almeida laughs, referring to Roglic and Thomas. “But I am happy with the result. I am now looking forward to tomorrow and a good rest period afterwards.”