João Almeida Aims for Glory in the 51st Volta ao Algarve

The 51st edition of the Volta ao Algarve kicks off this Wednesday, featuring a star-studded lineup, including João Almeida, who is competing for the third time and has high expectations. Almeida, a cyclist from UAE Team Emirates, stated, "I’m one of the contenders for the race," acknowledging the presence of stronger competitors but feeling confident after his training.

Almeida comes into this race with momentum, saying, "This isn’t my season opener, and since it's in my home country, I have great ambitions but without extra pressure." He recognizes the formidable competition, particularly with Jonas Vingegaard, the winner of the Tour de France in 2022 and 2023, making the race more challenging. Almeida noted that Vingegaard provides a good benchmark for comparison.

Additionally, Primoz Roglic will also be competing in Algarve. Almeida remarked that while this is the first race of the season for Vingegaard and Roglic, they are well-known in the cycling world, and their performances will be closely monitored during the demanding stages of the race.

During a press conference in Portimão, the starting point of the race, notable cyclists like Filippo Ganna (INEOS) and Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor) were present. Ganna expressed enthusiasm for the event, stating, "It’s one of the best races on the calendar, with many top-tier competitors, and I expect an interesting competition for us and the audience." Alaphilippe, who is racing in southern Portugal for the first time, shared his excitement: "I watched the Volta ao Algarve on TV, and now I’m here! It's a tough race, and we want to win stages."

A Unique Challenge at Malhão This year’s race will conclude at the Malhão summit, featuring a time trial, offering a fresh twist to the course. Almeida commented, "It’s a great way to change things up positively. It brings a breath of fresh air to the race, and I personally like it."