"Visma is clearly the favourite" - João Almeida puts pressure on rivals ahead of first GC test at 2025 Volta ao Algarve
Cycling
The 2025 Volta ao Algarve got off to the worst possible start, with the first stage having its results annulled due to a mix-up at the finish. Poor signaling led the peloton to take a wrong turning, risking serious falls as it was a road with a lot of spectators. Due to the cancellation, everything remains at zero in the general classification, with the favourites having the same time, before the first high finish of the competition, in Alto da Fóia.
João Almeida will have his first test in the Volta ao Algarve tomorrow, after a day that served to rotate his legs. In an interview with Portuguese Cycling Magazine, the UAE leader previewed the stage: "Let's see what the other teams will do. Visma is clearly the favourite, let's see what their strategy is during the stage and at the end. We have three cards to play: me, Jan Christen and António Morgado, I think we have a chance of doing a good stage, so let's do our best and see how we get to the finish line."
Stage 2 of the 51st edition of Algarvia links Lagoa to Alto da Fóia, with a length of 177.6km and 2700 meters of accumulated positive gradient. Throughout the day there will be five categorized climbs, with the last one coinciding with the finish line.
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Well… that’s one way to do it! It looks to be 🥉 place on stage 1 of the #VoltaAoAlgarve for @janchristen04!
— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamEmiratesUAE) February 19, 2025
A tactical coup 😅 #WeAreUAE
EDIT: The opening stage has been officially cancelled and there will be no classification today. Next time, Jan! pic.twitter.com/PNkC4xILon
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