"Unfortunately, I got sick in the final days" - João Almeida explains his dramatic fall-off from Paris-Nice GC

João Almeida headed into Paris-Nice 2025 after strong performances in both the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana and Volta ao Algarve. The UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider lost some crucial time in the general classification after the team time trial, but then made an impressive move by beating Jonas Vingegaard in the race's fourth stage.

Following what many are calling the "Almeidada," the Portuguese star then hinted that even better things were to come. He boldly stated that he was “ready to show who João Almeida is and try to win Paris-Nice.”

However, on the sixth day of the race, a stage plagued by heavy rain and strong winds, the UAE team was caught in the splits caused by the wind, leaving Almeida isolated. Team Visma | Lease a Bike and INEOS Grenadiers worked together at the front of the race, and by the end of the stage, the young Portuguese rider had lost his chance to win the race, finishing nearly two minutes behind the stage winner.

With his overall victory dreams dashed, the podium—though increasingly out of reach—still remained a realistic target. Yet, in the final two stages, Almeida's face clearly showed the pain of struggling to stay with the best. Now, through his team’s social media, he shared a “very positive reflection” on his week of competition, in which he faced “incredibly tough days with extremely cold and challenging conditions,” recalling a race marked by rain, cold, snow, and fierce winds.

Now, Almeida has revealed the reason behind his performance drop in the stages where he was expected to shine. Reflecting on his initial promise made at the end of the fourth day, he explained, "Unfortunately, I got sick in the final days, which kept me from being at my best, but I gave it everything I had until the finish line."

The 26-year-old Portuguese rider continued, expressing gratitude: “I’m thankful to the whole team for their unwavering and essential support, especially on the toughest days. Things don’t always go as planned, but what matters is overcoming the difficulties with our heads held high." He concluded by saying, “I’m now focused on recovery and the next competition."