"Maybe I can surprise Pogacar and not wait for his attack" - João Almeida anticipates European Championships clash

João Almeida was forced to abandon the Tour de France but he has nevertheless had so far the best season of his career. He's going to be finishing it soon but at the European Championships there are more opportunities for him to net a strong result. He discusses the Europeans, the post-Vuelta a España feelings and more.

In an interview with A BOLA, he spoke openly about this Wednesday's time-trial: "I don't expect good feelings, but I hope I'm wrong... The competition is very high, all the best European time trial specialists will be competing. And having seen the course today (Tuesday, ed.) I don't think it favors me. It's a very rolling course. 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. So I'll try to represent Portugal in the best way possible, giving my all."

The 24-kilometer long time-trial is mostly flat, but features a 2-kilometer long slight ascent to the finish where he may regain some ground, however small in comparison to the rest. "I don't know, we're already going to get there at the limit. Honestly, I thought this climb would be tougher, but in reality it's just a little top. It will take its toll on everyone and will make slight differences. However, the previous kilometers will decide."

However, after not competing for a few weeks, he sees this time-trial more as an opportunity to get some rhythm in the legs before the road race. "I hope my engine opens up to the maximum tomorrow [in the time trial] and from then on I'll find myself with new sensations. We'll have a few days to train a bit too."

The Portuguese has had a very busy season, at the highest level since early February, and he admits that the preparation towards this week does not compare to other goals he's had before. "Mentally, it's been a bit tough. To be honest, I didn't do much preparation for the Europeans. I think we have to respect what the mind says, to think in the long term. In fact, I'm not going to be at my best, but I'll give it everything I've got".

After the Vuelta, for the first time in several months he was able to slow down and relax: "I didn't train for a few days, I stopped completely. I stayed in Portugal and started training again there, on the roads in my region. But when I went to start the engine, it wouldn't start... It's been like that, like a clapperboard, these last few days since the Vuelta. But the season is coming to an end and, I repeat, I'll give it everything I've got this week."

The road race is made for the climbers, and Almeida could aim for a top result even without his top form. "It's tough, it's a constant up and down, with three longer climbs at the start and then a breakneck circuit that will make a dent. It will be a race of over 200 kilometers, so it will be tough. We'll see how it goes". Against him none other than Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel.

"There will be a lot of top-level rider. They'll all be there and there may be different tactics from rider to rider, breaking up the peloton into small groups and then not regrouping until the finish," he explains. "With attacks from afar that we've seen, and after what we saw at the World Championships in Rwanda, maybe we'll even see Remco [Evenepoel] trying to get ahead of Pogacar. Maybe surprise him a bit and not wait for his attack".

"Other riders might also try to get ahead, knowing that they can't keep up with these two. And don't forget Vingegaard, who will also be there. I think it's going to be a very nice race to watch," he concluded.