Portuguese cyclist João Almeida returns at Tour of Poland
Portuguese rider João Almeida, 27, announced his return to racing as team leader of UAE Team Emirates at the 2024 Tour of Poland. After a virus‑related illness that began after the February Volta ao Algarve, Almeida missed the Tour Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes in June and was forced to skip the Giro d'Italia. He confirmed he feels “100 %” and is targeting a stage win and the overall classification in Poland as preparation for the Vuelta a España later in the season.
Almeida will be joined by teammates Mikkel Bjerg, Rune Herregodts, Vegard Stake, Jan Christen, Benoît Cosnefroy and Jhonatan Narváez. He noted that his chances of winning the Vuelta are very low if Tadej Pogačar competes, but improve markedly without the Slovenian champion.
Entities: João Almeida · Mikkel Bjerg · Tadej Pogacar · UAE Team Emirates · Vuelta a España
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Almeida believes his chances of winning the Vuelta are low if Tadej Pogačar competes, but improve without him. (All three articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] He has been absent from competition since 13 June after abandoning the Tour Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes. (All three articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] João Almeida will lead UAE Team Emirates at the 2024 Tour of Poland. (All three articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Almeida is 27 years old. (All three articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Almeida aims to win a stage and the overall classification at the Tour of Poland. (All three articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] He sees the Vuelta a España as his main target for the season. (All three articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] He missed the Giro d'Italia this year due to health problems. (All three articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Almeida fell ill after the February Volta ao Algarve. (All three articles)