João Almeida has proven his form during the
Volta a Catalunya. It was a tough week of racing but the Portuguese climber has proven his worth as a contender for the Giro d'Italia, as he filled the podium alongside Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel.
“I’m happy with the performance this week. I think the podium is a good result and it shows the form is good ahead of the races to come. Now time for some rest and start the preparation for the Giro D’Italia," Almeida said in a press release from
UAE Team Emirates following the final dat of the Catalan race.
Almeida, such as his two rivals, will target the Giro in May. He's started off the week with bad luck in Vallter 2000 where he suffered a mechanical at the base of the climb, but managed to limit his losses quite well. What followed was a modest performance in La Molina, and then a third place at Lo Port where he looked to contest the stage with Roglic and Evenepoel which was the highlight of the week.
No one could get close, but Almeida was the best of the rest. He and Marc Soler have completed the race in third and fourth positions for UAE Team Emirates, but the 24-year old has given further signs the team should exclusively focus on him this May. Jay Vine has only recently returned to training after a knee injury, and should be the main supporting rider.
