"My fitness just isn’t there" - João Almeida missed training due to flu and explains Paris-Nice absence
CyclingSaturday, 07 March 2026 at 11:30
Jonas Vingegaard and João Almeida have battled in 2025 over several races and this spring the same was expected. However after Vingegaard joined the startlist of Paris-Nice, Almeida was removed as he has fallen ill ahead of the race and will have to delay the duo's first battle of the year.
"Unfortunately I won’t do Paris Nice this year. A few days after Algarve I got sick with flu symptoms and not being able to complete a training session until 4 days to the start of the race I don’t feel good and fit to race, especially such a hard race as Paris Nice," Almeida said in an Instagram post.
In 2025 the two were first and second at the Volta ao Algarve, Paris-Nice's first summit finish; and later on the Vuelta a España. This created a small rivalry which is set to become big this year as the two are set to meet later on at the Volta a Catalunya, and the race in which Catalunya is often used as the final preparation towards - the Giro d'Italia. This means both riders should face each other at the same point of their preparation, however the Paris-Nice clash is no more. UAE Team Emirates - XRG announced their lineup yesterday not featuring the Portuguese; but featuring space to Brandon McNulty, Pavel Sivakov and Marc Soler.
Eyes on the Giro
"Today, I am back feeling healthy and my natural motivation to train and push myself is back but my fitness just isn’t there," he admits. "I will focus now to be ready for our next goals which will be Catalunya and Giro!"
This should not disrupt his overall preparation towards the bigger goals in the spring, and he should be back to competition within two weeks in Catalunya.
"It’s never enough to thank the team UAE Team Emirates for their support, their trust and believing in me. Sometimes when we crash we break bones, we get wounds and we see the pain and the damage our body takes. When we get sick, damage is made but is just less visible. Don’t crash and don’t get sick. Take care of yourself".
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