"The priority remains to work for Tadej, I'm here for that" - 4th overall Joao Almeida claims selflessly that he's ready to sacrifice himself for Tadej Pogacar if needed
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar continues to smooth-sail through the Tour de France as his lead grows over three minutes with four stages left. This also gives a bit more freedom to his teammates, who can begin to look around for opportunities to score a result of their own. This is includes the number four in the general classification - Joao Almeida - for whom this would be a great result. But will he able to combine teammate duties with his personal ambitions? We'll likely get an answer on stages 19 and 20.
"I didn't know he was going to attack," admits Joao Almeida in an interview with Cyclism'Actu with a small smile. "We had a good day, we were always in front. The breakaway took a while to get going, but after that it was pretty calm," he continues.
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While domestique duties take priority over personal ambitions, the general classification doesn't look to bad for Almeida either. Currently fourth overall, he'll need to fence off Spaniards Mikel Landa and Carlos Rodríguez in remaining stages.
On a personal level, Almeida's sensations are how he'd have expected it to be. "I'm fine. Another day is behind us and there are still a few stages to go. Climbing the general classification? If that happens, so much the better, but the priority remains to work for Tadej, I'm here for that," he reassures.
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- What a travesty ! That little deviation did nothing to impede Brand !frieders307-11-2026
- I also wanne beat Pogacar in the tour but it aint gonne happen. Jonas unfortunately getting dropped by del toro and seixas several times this TDF and jonas team is very weak and joinas on way down, it aint happening thats clear. its also clear it only happened cause Pogacar was hurt and had a broken wrist that time everytime both full strenght its not close we just have to be honest about it :/miguel07-11-2026
- They do this but literally let cars on courses to run over riders.mij07-11-2026
- Looking at that photo she appears to be several feet from her. I’m not sure how that impeded brands sprint.mij07-11-2026
- I hope you are wrong but I suspect you will be proved correct. It might do something for Scottish tourism - although due to logistics the route skips the most spectacular parts of Scotland. It will bring in short term money no doubt, but will cycling overall in the U,K benifit? I doubt it. Even at £2 a litre the bits love thei cars,Cyclingsbestfan07-11-2026
- Lucky to not get disqualified
leedorney07-11-2026 - The road from Holyrood to Edinburgh Castle is a nice steady climb of just over a mile that is cobbled in many parts. (Very slippery if wet!) If the teams are going by one by one that will give fans an even better view of the riders up close than the castle esplanade.Cyclingsbestfan07-11-2026
- wtf dudemij07-11-2026
- big rival … ridiculous.Ketterechts07-11-2026
- It would be great if the World Champion's jersey could be rotated among McNulty, Simmons, and Jorgenson. They threaded the needle perfectly. If each hadn't done exactly what he did, exactly when he did it, the race would have gone to one of the more heralded superstars. That said, how nice that this humble and hardworking guy gets his moment in the sun.
MarkFour07-11-2026
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💛 Tadej 🤝 Richard 🏆 #TDF2024
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