'It's been ups and downs for me' - João Almeida struggles on return to racing, convinced he is not ready to ride Tour de France

João Almeida has faced a challenging return to competition following a prolonged period of illness and recovery. The UAE Team Emirates rider struggled notably during the opening stages of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, finishing at the back of the gruppetto on stage one and continuing to find the racing tough on the following day. Having missed the Giro d’Italia due to the lingering effects of a virus, Almeida is currently focused on rebuilding his form with no immediate ambitions for the Tour de France, instead setting his sights on the Vuelta a España later in the season. Almeida’s difficulties stem from a virus that forced him out of racing for nine weeks after a subdued performance at the Volta a Catalunya in March. During this time, he underwent blood tests and took a step back from competition to focus on training and recovery. Although he has resumed training in recent weeks and reports feeling better, he remains cautious about his readiness for the demanding nature of the Tour de France. His current approach is to gauge his condition day by day without setting firm goals for the French race. The UAE Team Emirates squad is yet to confirm its full roster for the Tour de France, with key riders such as Tadej Pogacar targeting a fifth victory and others like Isaac del Toro and Pavel Sivakov also in contention. Almeida’s place on the team remains uncertain, and he has made it clear that he would prefer to focus on the Vuelta, where he finished second last year. He emphasised the importance of being in peak condition to compete effectively in the Tour, highlighting the race’s intense physical demands. Looking ahead, Almeida has outlined a possible 2026 race calendar that notably excludes the Tour de France. Instead, he plans to compete in races such as the Clásica San Sebastián, Vuelta a Burgos, the Vuelta a España, and the Road World Championships in Canada. This strategy reflects his pragmatic approach to managing his career and physical condition, prioritising events where he believes he can perform at his best rather than rushing a return to the Tour de France.