“I need to understand what’s going wrong with me” - Joao Almeida raises concerns after disappointing Volta a Catalunya

Joao Almeida has openly admitted concern over his current condition after a difficult week at the Volta a Catalunya, where the UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider struggled to make an impact in the general classification.

Speaking ahead of the final stage in Barcelona, Almeida was candid about how he has been feeling on the bike. “I don’t feel very good on the bike at the moment. Maybe I need to rest, understand what’s going wrong with me, and keep working hard,” he said.

The Portuguese rider’s comments point to a broader issue than just a single bad day, with Almeida suggesting the problem may require further investigation.

Asked whether his struggles could be linked to the crash he suffered on stage five, he dismissed that idea. “No, I was already feeling like this before the start. Maybe I need to do some tests and analyses. I’ll have to check with the medical team.”

The final stage around Barcelona offered one last opportunity to salvage something from the race, but it followed a familiar pattern for Almeida.

The short, punchy circuit on Montjuic saw repeated attacks from the general classification contenders, with Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz among those trying to put pressure on Jonas Vingegaard. However, the race ultimately came back together ahead of a reduced sprint.

Brady Gilmore took a breakthrough victory on the day, sprinting past Dorian Godon, while Vingegaard safely defended his overall lead to seal the general classification.

Almeida, meanwhile, was unable to feature in the finale. He crossed the line in 75th place and ended the race 38th overall, a result that underlines how far below his usual level this week has been.

With the race now behind him, Almeida’s focus shifts towards understanding what has gone wrong and how quickly he can return to form.

His comments suggest the priority is not immediate results, but identifying the underlying issue before building back towards his expected level in the coming races.