UAE Team Emirates has announced that its leader in the Vuelta a Espana, Portugal's João Almeida, has had to abandon the race.
Yesterday we announced that he had tested positive for COVID after entering the finish line far behind winner Primoz Roglic. His team doctor, Adrian Rotunno, confirmed his withdrawal early in the morning today via press release:
"João declared feeling unwell during stage 8 of La Vuelta. After further examination and a PCR test which confirmed a Covid 19 infection, the decision has been taken to withdraw him from the race in the interest of his safety, that of the team and the peloton. He will now travel home to recover."
Bad luck continues for the Portuguese cyclists in a Vuelta that started from Lisbon and had an entirely Portuguese route in its first 3 stages. However, the entry into Spain has not been good for them: Rui Costa had to get off the bike in Seville after a nasty crash and now Almeida has to get off also precisely in the first grand tour in which he started as one of the great favorites after a fantastic year in which he had shown very good legs;
We do not know if the brave UAE Team Emirates rider will finish the season or will try to participate in the World Championships in Zurich in September representing his country or in the Italian classics at the end of the season including Il Lombardia. We will keep you informed of his state of health, his evolution and his plans on CyclingUpToDate.
Unfortunately @JooAlmeida98 will not start today’s stage 9 of the #LaVuelta24 after Dr Adrian Rotunno (Medical Director): “João reported feeling unwell during stage 8 of La Vuelta. After further examination and undergoing a PCR test which confirmed a Covid 19 infection, the…
