“We've discovered a new level with Almeida” – Gianetti takes positives despite losing Vuelta a Epana to Jonas Vingegaard
Cycling
UAE Team Emirates – XRG came within touching distance of
overall victory at the 2025 Vuelta a España, but had to settle for second place
with João Almeida behind Jonas Vingegaard. The Dane sealed his third stage win
of the race on the Bola del Mundo, closing the door on Almeida’s hopes of
taking the red jersey before the final parade into Madrid. Despite the
disappointment, both rider and team saw the campaign as a confirmation of
Almeida’s status among cycling’s very best.
"This is very important for us, because we've
discovered a new level with Almeida. He's very close to Vingegaard's level, and
we all know how good Vingegaard is. He already did that with Del Toro in the
Giro d'Italia. It's great to see for the future," said team principal
Mauro Gianetti, who has overseen a Vuelta where UAE seemed to prioritise stages
over Almeida’s red jersey campaign.
Indeed, the squad’s approach sparked debate. With seven
stage victories collected and riders like Juan Ayuso and Jay Vine at times
riding for themselves, questions were raised about internal unity. Gianetti,
however, defended the choices made. "In the end, everyone was professional
and serious. We're indeed letting Ayuso go, that's his decision. But here
everyone was professional, and we couldn't have done anything
differently."
The Italian admitted the power of Vingegaard ultimately
proved decisive. "Vingegaard dropped us twice. We gained some time in the
time trials, but not enough. We gave it our all, but yes, we also wanted to go
for stages. Winning is winning. We want many riders to get a chance; that's
simply important to us. Ultimately, we're very happy."
Almeida himself was left reflecting on a draining battle
where he could not quite match the Visma leader. “It was incredibly
tough,” he said after the Bola del Mundo showdown. “I was on the limit the
whole day, but we had to try, there was nothing to lose. I didn’t have the best
sensations, but it had to be done.”
Despite falling just short, he had no regrets. “I don’t
regret anything, we gave it everything,” Almeida said, summing up a Vuelta
defined by bold racing and collective effort. Looking back on the final
showdown, he offered a succinct conclusion: “So close. We tried to win, and
that’s how it is.”
Read also
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as 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. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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