Listen & read
Tadej Pogačar faces a significant setback for the upcoming Tour de France as João Almeida confirms he won't be ready to race despite recovering from illness. This decision could shift the dynamics of Pogačar's team strategy for the Tour.
Almeida, who recently announced his recovery after missing the Giro d'Italia, states, "I wouldn't be ready to do a Tour de France." He is set to compete for the first time since March at the Tour-Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, where he will support Isaac del Toro but is not preparing for the Tour de France. Almeida had been a crucial support rider for Pogačar, finishing fourth overall in last year's Tour and assisting in securing the yellow jersey.
He emphasizes the demands of the Tour, adding, "You have to be in your best shape, because otherwise it's not possible to achieve much." Almeida's focus will now shift to the Vuelta a España, where he aims for a top finish, having been runner-up to Jonas Vingegaard last season. As Almeida prepares for this new challenge, Pogačar will need to reassess his support structure for the upcoming Tour de France.
Comments (0)