Joao Almeida has been very open about his goals for this year's Vuelta, stating he is there to help Pogacar win. It is a stark contrast to last year, where he was the runner-up. He mentioned that his season was affected by illnesses and a crash in Poland, so he is taking things day by day. Still, the numbers look strong, as he finished only 18 seconds behind Pogacar on stage 1.
We saw this dynamic in the 2024 Tour de France, where Almeida played a key role in the win while finishing fourth overall. It is a tough balance to maintain. On one hand, being a super-domestique for a generational talent provides immense security and team stability. On the other, there is always the question of whether a rider sacrifices their own ceiling when they stop chasing the red jersey.
Does Almeida risk his own career growth by fully stepping into a support role, or is this the smarter long-term move for a rider in his position?
Beyond the tactics, how do you think a rider's mental approach changes when they shift from being the protected leader to a supporting lieutenant?