"It will be all in on the Giro" - João Almeida takes confidence from runner-up spot at Tirreno-Adriatico

João Almeida put on a great performance at Tirreno-Adriatico, where he rode to second position and managed to get important motivation and leadership points ahead of the Giro d'Italia.

“It's been a pretty good week, a difficult week, but also a fast one," Almeida told Spazio Ciclismo. "I'm very happy and I think the goal has been achieved, which is to fight with the best. We finish with a second place in the general standings and with the Maglia Bianca, which is an extra motivation. Obviously I will continue to work hard for my goals, I think I'm on the right track."

Having kept up with the big favourites on the mountain finish at Sarnano Sassotetto Almeida saw himself in a good position on the GC after a strong opening time-trial. However it was on the final hilly stage where the Portuguese turned up the pace and put Primoz Roglic under pressure. He left the race without a win, but his consistency earned him a second position, proof the work has been successful ahead of the Giro d'Italia where he's set to lead UAE Team Emirates.

“Ahead of me is [Volta a] Catalunya, it's the final test, then it will be all in on the Giro. The Giro is the main focus, it has been the main focus in recent years. Unfortunately, last year I was a bit unlucky with the covid and everything else, but that is now a thing of the past and now we are focused on the future," he concluded. At Catalunya he will face Remco Evenepoel, whilst Roglic is also possible to make his presence felt.