Portuguese rider João Almeida was a no-show at the start line of Tuesday’s individual time trial at the 2025 European Championships in France, despite having been slated to return to racing after a brief break following his runner-up finish at the Vuelta a Espana.
Almeida had been scheduled to roll down the ramp at 15:05 for the 24-kilometre effort, but failed to appear, with no official explanation provided as of yet. His absence came as a surprise, particularly after expressing cautious optimism in the lead-up to the race.
In a pre-race interview with his home language media outlet A BOLA, the 27-year-old acknowledged he wasn’t expecting a standout performance, citing the nature of the course and his current condition. “I don’t expect good feelings, but I hope I’m wrong,” Almeida admitted. “The competition is very high, all the best European time trial specialists will be competing. And having seen the course today, I don’t think it favours me.”
Tuesday’s course profile featured a largely flat layout with a rolling character — conditions Almeida conceded weren’t suited to his strengths. “Honestly, it’s a lot less tough than I thought it would be. There’s also going to be a lot of wind, which doesn’t suit me either, as I’m lighter than the specialists.”
The route concluded with a 2-kilometre drag to the finish — an uphill stretch that might have favoured Almeida in better shape — but even that, he believed, wouldn’t be decisive. “I thought this climb would be tougher, but in reality it’s just a little top. It will take its toll on everyone and make slight differences. However, the previous kilometres will decide.”
Following a few weeks away from competition, Almeida had framed the time trial as an opportunity to sharpen his form ahead of Sunday’s road race, where he remains part of Portugal’s line-up. “I hope my engine opens up to the maximum tomorrow and from then on I’ll find myself with new sensations. We’ll have a few days to train a bit too.”
With Almeida's withdrawal, veteran Nelson Oliveira (Movistar) was left as the sole representative of the Portuguese national team in the time trial discipline. As fans await word on what prompted the sudden DNS (Did Not Start), attention now shifts to the weekend, where Almeida is still expected to feature in the road race — an event likely to play more to his abilities and ambitions.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
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