Almeida understands Vingegaard and Visma, but can’t resist subtle dig: "Jonas doesn’t take turns that often, does he?"

“I tried, but to be honest, I expected the climb to be a little harder,” Almeida analysed immediately after the finish at Eurosport. “It is what it is. We had a gap for a moment, but no one wanted to work together in the group,” said the UAE leader, referring to a short attack with Vingegaard and Ciccone, neither of whom took over.

And so the rest of the GC contenders were able to return, with Visma | Lease a Bike setting the pace to the finish through Sepp Kuss and Matteo Jorgenson, due to a late attack by Marc Soler. The Spaniard from UAE gained five seconds, but let Vingegaard's teammate work for a while in the final kilometers.

According to Vingegaard, Visma maintained control in stage 7 because he didn't want to overexert his team. He believes the battle will be fought later in the Vuelta. It also explained why Almeida did not receive any support from his main rival when he launched the attack. “Visma didn't have to do that, so I understand.”

“But Jonas doesn't take turns that often, does he?” he said with a laugh at the end of the interview. In it, Almeida also discussed his own form, which seems to be excellent despite a lack of preparation after a Tour de France crash and withdrawal. “I feel good every day, which is a good sign, but I'm looking forward to the tougher stages ahead.”

UAE Team Emirates-XRG is also doing well, with a team time trial win on Wednesday, Jay Vine winning on Thursday, and on Friday, the stage win for Juan Ayuso, who had dropped out of the GC on Thursday. “I'm not surprised he's fighting back like this today. He's a really great rider, a world-class rider. He was super strong today, and he deserves this. It's been a difficult road to get here, with ups and downs, but the whole team was great today.”