In an interview with the Portuguese Cycling Federation, recorded by A Bola website, Almeida leaves no room for misunderstandings. “We haven’t talked about the race calendar for 2024 yet, but I would like to compete in the Tour de France. I’ve raced in the Giro several times, and it’s starting to become a bit repetitive,” he said.
João Almeida expresses his interest in the Ardennes Classics.
Almeida has maintained a certain race program in recent years, but he would like to explore new races and find new motivations in the coming year. “For example, I would also like to participate in competitions like the Critérium du Dauphiné or the Tour de Suisse. Perhaps even the Ardennes Classics. It’s important to set new and different goals,” said the 25-year-old cyclist.
“The only time I did an Ardennes Classic (Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2021), I actually felt quite good, although it’s a different race than what I’m used to, so the preparation would have to be different.”
Olympic Games and the start of the Vuelta in Portugal
“But it’s also a year when we have the Olympics and then the Vuelta starting in Portugal… which is quite special. We have to manage the calendar well,” acknowledges João Almeida.
“Before knowing that the Vuelta starts in Portugal, my goal was just the Tour and the Olympics, obviously if I’m selected, and I would leave the Vuelta as a plan B if I felt good.”
“Starting the Vuelta in Portugal, and it’s rare for a Grand Tour to start in our country, so I think it would be very nice to do the Vuelta,” João Almeida concludes.