The ninth stage of the 2025 Vuelta brought more than just exciting finishes. It offered a glimpse into the raw emotions of professional cycling. Tom Pidcock crossed the line in second place, a strong result. Yet, his post-race comments painted a vivid picture of a tense ride up the final climb to Valdezcaray. He shared much of that ascent with João Almeida, and their journey together was far from friendly.
Pidcock had nothing but praise for Almeida’s sheer power. He called the Portuguese rider “like a tractor.” However, the atmosphere between them was strained, mostly because Pidcock couldn’t help with the pace-setting. It seems Almeida expected more from his temporary climbing partner.
“I felt good out there,” Pidcock told Eurosport after the stage. “But when Jonas [Vingegaard] and [Giulio] Ciccone took off, it was just too hard to follow. Jonas always has a few teammates with him, and Trek was leading the charge.” Pidcock explained his strategy. “I saw Almeida and thought he was the perfect wheel to stick to. Maybe we could reel them back in.” He even offered a “Chapeau to him,” showing respect for Almeida’s strength.
But admiration turned to confrontation. Pidcock admitted he “couldn’t help much.” This didn’t sit well with Almeida. “He started yelling at me,” Pidcock recounted. Almeida’s power was especially clear in the flatter sections, notably during the last kilometer. “He was so impressive. I just held on for dear life and managed to pass him at the very end,” Pidcock added, clearly pleased with his second-place finish. “I’m happy, to be honest.”
When asked what exactly Almeida shouted during their heated exchange, Pidcock didn’t hold back. He spoke candidly, almost suggesting he knew the scolding was deserved. Almeida apparently told him he “needed to grow some balls.” Pidcock’s quick reply summed up the situation: “I told him, ‘If you slow down, I can help!'”