João Almeida finished for the first time outside the top 10 of a Grand Tour, finishing 3h30 behind the race winner. The Portuguese cyclist failed to reach his best level during the competition, which was reflected in the final result.
The disappointing performance of the Portuguese rider raises questions about his fitness and preparation for the Grand Tours. Throughout the race, Almeida was unable to keep up with the main favorites and consistently lost ground.
This result marks a break from the Portuguese's history in Grand Tours, where he usually finished among the best. The difference of more than three hours from the lead reveals the difficulties he faced throughout the competition.
The question now is when João Almeida will be able to recover his best form and return to the results that made him one of the great names in Portuguese cycling in recent seasons.
