Joao Almeida is ready to start the 2026 season and is already focused on the Giro d'Italia . The Portuguese rider from UAE Team Emirates doesn't seem worried about Jonas Vingegaard's announced presence in the Giro, given that he already dueled with him at the 2025 Vuelta, putting him in difficulty: " Vingegaard's presence at the Giro will give the race more weight and even greater meaning ," Almeida told In de Leiderstrui. "I've raced with him several times already and it's always been a great battle, so I think we can expect the same at the 2026 Giro d'Italia. It's not that I haven't learned anything from the 2025 Vuelta, but ultimately, it always depends on your legs.

I know Jonas races with a lot of intelligence and can surprise me at times, so I'll have to be careful about that. But I think he's beatable. Everyone is beatable, except maybe Tadej Pogačar, but, in fact, I'd even put Remco Evenepoel and Vingegaard himself at a higher level than me. I was born in a complicated period..." Almeida joked.  

The Portuguese will arrive at the Giro d'Italia after competing in the Volta Valenciana, the Volta ao Algarve, Paris-Nice, and the Volta a Catalunya, and hopes to arrive in top form for the Giro d'Italia: "We're going to win, but it always makes things easier when you say it. We'll do our best, and I hope the experience I've gained over the years will be useful. For me, it's positive to be able to change my goals again and know that the team supports me in this."

Photo: Sprint Cycling Agency