"João Almeida's not acting like a proper leader" - Jose De Cauwer claims UAE's Vuelta issues run deeper than teamwork

As the Vuelta a Espana heads into its first rest day, experienced Belgian pundit José De Cauwer hasn’t held back in his assessment of UAE Team Emirates - XRG's faltering GC campaign — pointing the finger not only at team strategy but squarely at João Almeida's leadership.

“For me, Almeida isn’t behaving like a true team leader,” De Cauwer told Sporza after Sunday’s stage 9 saw the Portuguese distanced for the first time this Grand Tour by Jonas Vingegaard on Valdezcaray. “You’ve got to stay near Jonas Vingegaard. If you can’t follow — fine. But if you’re not even in the picture, well then… you’re Almeida.”

It was a cutting remark — but one that resonates after a stage that may prove decisive. Vingegaard’s blistering attack on the final climb left the UAE leader adrift, unsupported, and searching for answers.

Speaking to Eurosport post-stage, Almeida offered a frank diagnosis of his situation, citing a lack of help from his teammates: “Today, I was a bit short on team support. In the end, there was no one with me. That’s just how it is. We were poorly positioned. They went off incredibly hard, and it was difficult to close the gap straight away. I couldn’t follow when Vingegaard attacked. I felt good on the climb, but he was flying.”

For De Cauwer, however, the problem is about more than just who was on Almeida’s wheel in the finale — it’s structural.

“Team Visma | Lease a Bike is the clear controlling force in this race. Vingegaard is the best rider here, and everything in that team is built around that singular goal: winning in Madrid,” De Cauwer said. “They stay together, they work together. With UAE, it’s not that. I wouldn’t say it’s completely chaotic, but they’re just not there. One guy wins a stage, then drops off. Another does the same. You can’t call that a GC team — not yet, at least.”

Indeed, while UAE have animated several stages with opportunistic attacks and individual brilliance — notably from riders like Ayuso and Soler — the lack of a cohesive strategy or protected leader has become increasingly visible, especially as the terrain turns selective and the GC begins to take shape.

Almeida, for his part, remains third overall — still very much in contention. But De Cauwer believes the issue isn’t just about positioning or tactics; it’s about mindset. “If you’re the leader, you ride like a leader. Even if you’re not the strongest, you’ve got to be there in the key moments — visible, proactive, commanding. Right now, Almeida is drifting. And that’s not how you win a Grand Tour.”

His criticism echoes a broader unease among observers about UAE’s approach to the Vuelta, especially in contrast to the surgical precision of Visma. While the Dutch outfit has moulded its entire race around Vingegaard — closing gaps, managing tempo, and protecting him at every turn — UAE appears to be riding multiple races at once.

Despite the mounting questions, De Cauwer isn’t writing Almeida off just yet. “He can still win this Vuelta,” he insisted. “We’re only at the first rest day, and there’s a long road ahead. But if he wants to be in the fight in week three, something needs to change. Because if Vingegaard can already ride away like this — then what will happen when it really gets steep?”

There are still summit finishes to come, but for UAE and Almeida, the climb they need to conquer first may be internal — to regroup, reorganise, and rally behind a single leader with clear intent.