"We’ve had our frictions..." – But João Almeida plays down talk of Ayuso rivalry & UAE civil war at Vuelta a Espana

On the eve of the 2025 Vuelta a Espana, João Almeida cuts a figure both confident and cautious. The Portuguese star of UAE Team Emirates – XRG heads into his fourth consecutive appearance at the Spanish Grand Tour with unfinished business after a season marked by consistency, setbacks, and renewed ambition.

Since bursting onto the scene with a fourth-place finish in his Vuelta debut in 2022, Almeida has become a reliable Grand Tour performer. But after a crash forced him out of the Tour de France in July, his build-up to this year’s race has been anything but ideal. The 26-year-old admits his preparation was shorter than he would have liked.

“Unfortunately I had to abandon the Tour because of the crash, which limited my preparation for the Vuelta,” Almeida explained to A Bola. “Basically, I only trained for two weeks at 100 percent, without limitations. Even so, I think I’m in a minimally good state of fitness. I’ll do my best and see how I end up.”

That balance of optimism and realism runs throughout Almeida’s reflections. He knows his form is not perfect, but he also understands the dynamics of a three-week race, where riders can grow into the rhythm of competition. “I’d say maybe 90-something percent,” he said when asked to rate his condition. “I’m in good shape, but I don’t feel at my very best. But it’s three weeks, so we have time to feel 100 percent, don’t we? You can evolve day by day, week by week. When you manage yourself well, you arrive stronger in the final week. That’s my goal.”

He is also frank about just how limited his time on the bike has been since July: “I didn’t touch the bike for 10 or 11 days. Total rest. Then I started to pick it up and ride a bit, but nothing special. Only later, in terms of training, actually training, it was two and a half weeks. I felt good and I think I’m fine. But it’s clearly not a long, solid preparation.”

Even so, he insists the Vuelta offers space to improve: “When you start out fresh and in good shape, you improve and get in better physical shape over the course of the race. Sometimes we start at our limit and with some fatigue, and end up finishing badly and tired. It’s also about knowing how to manage this, and saving as much as possible for the days that you can spare, that you can recover from. And on the days when you have to give everything, maybe make a difference, who knows. Betting everything and not being afraid.”

The Portuguese rider is well aware of the peculiarities of the Vuelta, a race known for its relentless profile and explosive finishes. With ten summit finishes scattered across the three weeks, Almeida expects daily attrition. “The Vuelta is always a very explosive race, very tough. There aren’t many flat stages; it’s always up and down, a total mix,” he said. “You always have to be on the lookout for surprises. It’s a grind every day. The Vuelta is like that — it’s special. And I like it.”

Crucially, Almeida also sees the presence of Jonas Vingegaard and a stacked Team Visma | Lease a Bike squad as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. “Yes, he takes a very strong team to every race. Everyone expected that,” Almeida said. “But I think it ends up favouring me. With a strong team, they’ll want to take control, and that makes the race harder and more predictable. Sometimes when no team takes responsibility, things are chaotic. But with strong blocks, it’s easier to have a more controlled race. That can help me.”

Another storyline heading into the Vuelta is Almeida’s partnership with Juan Ayuso. The two have had moments of tension in the past, but Almeida insists their relationship is now stable — and potentially advantageous against a powerhouse rival like Vingegaard. “Yes, we get on well. We’ve had a few minor frictions in the past, but things are always sorted out in the moment,” he told A Bola. “It’s natural for this kind of thing to happen sometimes, but in general we get on well. We’re going with the aim of succeeding as a team, of trying to win the Vuelta. I think it’s all going to be fine.”

Rather than viewing dual leadership as a potential conflict, Almeida frames it as a tactical asset. “I don’t think there’s any internal struggle,” he said. “There has to be mutual respect, obviously. But as we have a very strong opponent in Vingegaard, if we can play with two cards to tire him out, I think it will be a great advantage. There is that positive side.”

For Almeida, success will not only depend on his own form but also on the trust and cohesion of his teammates. The Portuguese rider is clear that he feels fully supported within the Emirates structure.

“I’m taking riders who have been with me in many races this year, with whom I’ve won. Riders I’ve known for many years,” he explained. “We have a very cohesive team, where everyone works very well. I’ll always be well accompanied every day, that’s for sure.”

He also points to the faith the team has consistently shown in him. “We’ve had a relationship for a few years now. They know my value. I’ve shown, not just this year but every year, my consistency and my reliability. That’s why I think we can start this Vuelta confident, but at the same time realistic. Not everything will go perfectly, but I’m going to fight without fear.”

The Portuguese climber does not underestimate the scale of the task ahead. Facing Vingegaard and a Visma squad brimming with depth, Almeida knows there will be little room for weakness. But he believes the Vuelta’s structure, his steady recovery, and a united team behind him can bring opportunities.

“It’s three weeks at the highest level,” he said. “Against Jonas Vingegaard, who is always in great form. So you have to be careful in your approach to the race. But I’m confident, and I think I’m in good shape.”

As the Vuelta celebrates its 90th anniversary with a historic start in Turin, Almeida enters the race not as the outright favourite, but as a proven contender who thrives in the rhythm of Grand Tours. With resilience forged through setbacks, a cohesive team at his side, and the tactical flexibility of dual leadership, the Portuguese star may yet turn an interrupted summer into a defining autumn.