UAE Team Emirates growing in confidence with Joao Almeida's Giro d'Italia performance: "He must rely on his consistency"

Sitting 4th in the general classification just 40 seconds down on the Maglia Rosa, João Almeida has been quietly going about his business so far at the Giro d'Italia and UAE Team Emirates boss Joxean Matxin is growing in confidence.

“Maybe others are more explosive on the climb, but João usually keeps that in the closing kilometers. He's a really good puncher, but not very often on a climb," Matxin explains. "He must rely on his consistency, a good pace. It's all about controlling the body and the power and maximum power. He has a few punches and will never let go quickly."

As the general classification battle heated up for the first time in this year's race, Almeida lost time on Primoz Roglic, Tao Geoghegan Hart and Geraint Thomas but the UAE Team Emirates leader crossed the line alongside a group containing the likes of teammate Jay Vine and Remco Evenepoel. “He has the numbers to go for the pink jersey, that is clear to us," says Matxin. "João is nevertheless always at his best in the third week and so we believe in him and his values. It is not for nothing that we have chosen Tadej Pogacar in the Tour and João in the Giro for two years in a row."

"João is already an experienced leader for us. He's only 24 years old, but he's been around for so long. He's super intelligent, really, really smart," he continues. "He has a very clear vision of cycling, which we call within the team “the Almeida system” or “Almeida style”. He is often a follower in the beginning, only to get to the front."