Almeida provides clarity ahead of the Tour de France: "That’s why I don’t think it makes sense to aim for a result"

“I’ll try to help Tadej win the Tour. I don’t have a specific personal result in mind, and even if I did, it would be secondary anyway,” said Almeida, who is also expected to ride the Vuelta alongside the Slovenian. “That race may be a bit more open. I’d say a podium in one of the Grand Tours would be a great result for me, in a season with a lot of race days and still two grand tours to go.”

Almeida already finished fourth in last year’s Tour. “I’ll mostly help Tadej in the mountains, but of course, it depends on the race situation when I need to protect him or work for him. That’s why I don’t think it makes sense to have a personal result as a goal. The objective is Tadej: to help him win the Tour again. Wanting to win a stage or get a result is secondary to that.”

“Last year, I also entered the Tour with the goal of helping Tadej, and of course it’s essential to start in top shape and give everything as one of the last men supporting him,” said Almeida, who is currently having a superb season. “Honestly, I feel normal. I don’t feel like I’m in top form or unbeatable. I feel good, like I’ve felt since the start of the season, with decent legs.”

For Almeida and his team, the first priority will be getting to the mountains. “The first week is flatter than usual, but those are actually the most critical stages. Many riders are still fresh, and that creates nervousness. The first time trial on day five will be important, but toward the end there are a lot of tough mountain stages.”