“The biggest time gap came on the easiest climb” — João Almeida left rueing stage 9 as he leaves La Vuelta a 'proud' runner-up

In a Vuelta a Espana where unpredictability reigned and tradition was turned on its head, João Almeida emerged as one of the most consistent — and compelling — protagonists. But for all the strength, resilience, and tactical maturity he showed over three gruelling weeks, one day continues to linger.

“The biggest time gap came, in theory, on the easiest climb,” the 27-year-old reflected post-race to Jornal A Bola. “Stage 9 was supposed to be manageable — but it turned out to be decisive.”

Indeed, it was on the comparatively benign ascent to Valdezcaray where Almeida lost 28 seconds to eventual race winner Jonas Vingegaard. While hardly a collapse, the gap would grow to define the GC battle — and prove key in denying Almeida what could have been a historic victory.

Stage 9 wasn’t marked out as a kingmaker — not on paper. But it would become the race’s fulcrum. With Team Visma | Lease a Bike executing a perfectly timed offensive and UAE Team Emirates - XRG caught out, Almeida was left isolated. The damage wasn't catastrophic, but it was enough. From that point on, he was on the back foot in the battle for red.

“We made the race hard ourselves,” Almeida said, analysing the paradox of time gaps emerging not on the Angliru or Lagos de Covadonga, but on a seemingly tame climb. “It shows it’s the riders, not the parcours, who define these races.”

That tactical honesty — paired with a refusal to apportion blame — has become a hallmark of Almeida’s evolution. No excuses, no finger-pointing. Just a rider deeply self-aware, hungry to learn, and growing in stature with every Grand Tour.

Whatever was lost on stage 9 was partially redeemed in one of the most prestigious ways possible: a triumph atop the brutal Alto de Angliru. Beating Vingegaard in the final kilometre of one of cycling’s most feared climbs, Almeida took a statement victory that not only kept him in podium contention but also offered a reminder of just how far he's come.

“I think we can be really proud of what we did over these three weeks,” he said. “It was a hard Vuelta, a strange one. But we did everything we could.”

There was no final-day crescendo in Madrid — the last stage was cancelled following pro-Palestinian protests — but by then the GC narrative had already run its course. Vingegaard sealed overall victory, with Almeida in second and Britain’s Tom Pidcock rounding out the podium.

While UAE Team Emirates - XRG has built its Grand Tour suucess around the dominance of Tadej Pogacar, the Vuelta served as a reminder that supporting one of their other leaders — especially one in contention for the overall — remains a work in progress. Almeida was tactically astute, but not always backed by the firepower he needed when it counted most.

His isolation on stage 9 was telling. And while the Angliru stage victory showcased his individual brilliance, it also hinted at what might have been possible with stronger team control in key moments. Almeida’s comments remained diplomatic, but reading between the lines, there’s recognition that organisational sharpness, not just legs, makes the difference in winning Grand Tours.

Still, his leadership was mature and composed. He raced to win when it was possible and to defend when it was necessary. If Almeida does one day claim a Grand Tour, stage 9 of the 2025 Vuelta may be remembered not just as a missed opportunity, but as the lesson that made him unstoppable.