"That's what I have in mind” - João Almeida has Vuelta vision as he dampens Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes expectations

João Almeida approaches the start of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 2026 with caution, but also optimism after several difficult months in which he struggled to find his best legs. The Portuguese rider, still one of the peloton’s key contenders for Grand Tours, made it clear that his main goal this season is the 2026 Vuelta a España.

“For me, personally, that’s what I have in mind,” Almeida said when asked if his schedule is geared more towards the Vuelta than the 2026 Tour de France on Cycling Pro Net.

The rider explained that the past few weeks were anything but easy ahead of the Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes. After an inconsistent start to the season and failing to reach his expected level, he decided to step back to reset both physically and mentally.

“It’s been ups and downs. Then I kept training, but things weren’t really going well, so I took a break,” he noted.

That call seems to have paid off. Almeida said he has been back to work for three or four weeks with better sensations and feels competitive again. He added: “Three or four weeks ago I started training again and here I am. I feel good, and that’s the most important thing.”

Although he is not setting concrete targets for this week in France, he admits the race will be an important test to gauge his progress.

“I’m feeling good in training, things are going well. I hope to be at my normal level in one or two months, I don’t know,” the Portuguese rider explained. “This week is to see where I really am.”

That’s why Almeida tackles the Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes without added pressure or immediate ambitions in the standings. “I’m not bringing objectives or anything like that. I’ll just see how I feel.”

The Portuguese rider’s comments point to a gradual build with an eye on the second half of the season, where the Vuelta a España could become his major challenge and the race where he aims to finally rediscover his best version.