Portuguese cyclist João Almeida is experiencing a start to his 2024 season due to health issues that have delayed his racing calendar. Originally planning to start his season in Portugal, João suffered from tonsillitis, according to cyclinguptodate and needed more than a week of rest off the bike, forcing Almeida to postpone his start of the season by several weeks.
Impact of the delay on the Almeida racing season
Almeida was planning to start his season at the Figueira Champions Classic and soon after race the Volta ao Algarve, where like Remco Evenepoel, he would be one of the favorites. However, he was sidelined due to illness.
This represents an obstacle for the Portuguese cyclist, who will probably start his season at Paris-Nice (March 3), where Almeida should fight for the podium in the General Classification.
Next competition plans for Almeida
João Almeida should also compete in the Ardennes classics (France bordering Belgium) for the first time this spring. He should also be part of the Tour de Suisse before racing the Tour de France together with Tadej Pogacar, Adam Yates and Juan Ayuso.
The 25-year-old cyclist is still expected to race on Portuguese roads this year, as the Vuelta a España starts in Lisbon and the first two days of racing are close to his hometown of Caldas da Rainha.
Editor’s note
UAE Team Emirates has not yet officially confirmed João Almeida’s absence from the Volta ao Algarve.