João Almeida leads UAE Team Emirates at Giro d'Italia, Vine and McNulty second cards in strong lineup

UAE Team Emirates have enough cards to have big aspirations for all Grand Tours and they show it. The Giro d'Italia sees a strong group of riders led by João Almeida but possibly focusing as much on stage wins.

The Portuguese rider has finished fourth and sixth in his two participations at the Giro where he reached the finish, whilst last year he sit fourth when he abandoned with Covid-19. He's back for revenge this year, having already finished second at Tirreno-Adriatico and third at the Volta a Catalunya. There he finished behind Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel, who are expected to be the main favourites here.

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Behind him will be Jay Vine and Brandon McNulty, both riders who could contest for the overall classification, ride as domestiques for Almeida or chase stage wins depending on how the race plays out. It makes for a strong climbing block that can definitely thrive in the final two weeks of the race. Pascal Ackermann comes in in order to target the sprints, whilst Ryan Gibbons should be supporting him and Almeida simultaneously in the flat stages.

The lineup is completed by three puncheurs who should be chasing stage wins as was the case last year. On that occasion Alessandro Covi won the queen stage to Passo Fedaia and he returns in hunt for more success, and he's joined by compatriots Davide Formolo and Diego Ulissi.

UAE Team Emirates for Giro d'Italia:

João Almeida, Pascal Ackermann, Alessandro Covi, Ryan Gibbons, Davide Formolo, Brandon McNulty, Diego Ulissi and Jay Vine.