The UAE Emirates-XRG team is gearing up for the Basque Country Tour, which kicks off on April 7. Led by João Almeida, the team is ready to tackle the six-stage race. This is the second WorldTour event in Spain this season, following the recent Volta a Catalunya, won by Primoz Roglic.
João Almeida has had a solid start to the season. He took second place in the Valencia Community Tour, behind Santiago Buitrago. Then, he watched his teammate António Morgado win the Figueira Classic. Almeida went on to claim another second place at the Algarve Tour, this time behind Jonas Vingegaard. He also won a stage at the Paris-Nice, finishing sixth overall, but struggled with illness towards the end.
The 26-year-old cyclist is back in action, but he knows the Basque Country Tour won’t be easy. The course is notorious for its steep and explosive climbs. “It’s a tough race,” Almeida said. “The terrain is irregular, with mountainous stages and steep climbs. But we have a great team, with lots of options. The course isn’t ideal for me, but I’ll do my best.”
Almeida will lead a strong team, including Igor Arrieta, Marc Solar, Isaac del Toro, Félix Grosschartner, Vegard Stake Laengen, and Brandon McNulty. “We’re heading to the Basque Country with a very strong team,” he said. “I’m excited to take on this race for the first time. The passion for cycling in the Basque Country is special – the fans are always supportive.”
Team Goals
The team is looking to make a statement at the Basque Country Tour. Almeida is determined to perform well, despite the challenging course. “I was thrilled to win a stage at the Paris-Nice,” he said. “We’re hoping to achieve more victories at the Basque Country Tour.”
