Can João Almeida finally conquer the Giro d'Italia? The Portuguese cycling star is gearing up to challenge the formidable Jonas Vingegaard at the 2026 Corsa Rosa, and he believes he's finally ready to win a Grand Tour.
Almeida, at 27 years old, has been confirmed as the leader for UAE Team Emirates at the Giro, with Tadej Pogacar and Isaac del Toro setting their sights on the Tour de France. Adam Yates and Jay Vine will also be part of the UAE Giro squad, but Almeida will be the main man to challenge Vingegaard. This comes after Almeida's impressive performance, finishing second to the Danish rider at the 2025 Vuelta a España.
Almeida's recent track record certainly supports his confidence. In 2025 alone, he secured victories at the Tour de Suisse, the Tour de Romandie, and Itzulia Basque Country, showcasing his consistent improvement.
But here's where it gets interesting... Almeida's history with the Giro d'Italia runs deep. He competed in Italy as an under-23 rider and has always had his sights set on the race. In 2020, he finished an impressive fourth and even wore the coveted maglia rosa (the leader's pink jersey) for two weeks, before Tao Geoghegan Hart ultimately took the win in the final mountain stages. In 2023, he secured third place, witnessing the intense battle between Primož Roglič and Geraint Thomas for the top spot.
Could Almeida's time finally be here? His experience and recent form suggest he's a serious contender.
And this is the part most people miss... The competition at the Giro is always fierce, and Vingegaard is a tough opponent. Do you think Almeida has what it takes to dethrone the champion? Share your thoughts in the comments below – let's get a discussion going!
