João Almeida ahead of Giro d'Italia: "I’m definitely hungry to come back and fight for a big result"

João Almeida is good to go for the Giro d'Italia where he has unfinished business. After three consecutive editions riding at the front the Portuguese is looking to finally win at the Corsa Rosa and hunt the pink jersey that he has had in his shoulders for a long time in 2020.

“After the disappointing end to this race last year I’m definitely hungry to come back and fight for a big result," Almeida said in a press release. "The preparation for the Giro has gone really well. I think I’ve been really consistent this year and we’ve just done a big block of great training at altitude in Sierra Nevada, Spain so as a group we are in a great place both physically and mentally."

The 24-year old races his fourth consecutive Corsa Rosa and his ambitions are as high as possible. UAE Team Emirates revealed a lineup including talented climbers Jay Vine and Brandon McNulty who would ideally ride in support of the main goal, Almeida is the most reliable card for UAE after his Grand Tour record and strong results this year, which include second at Tirreno-Adriatico and third at the Volta a Catalunya - both won by Primoz Roglic.

He has faced the direct competition he'll have his May this spring already, and with a route packed with time-trialing kilometers and a brutal final week he will be a big contender for the final podium. "Naturally my aim is to do a good GC but we also have Pascal [Ackermann] for the sprints and some guys who have won stages here at the Giro before. I think we are in for a great race," he concluded.