João Almeida has agreed terms to join UAE Team Emirates starting from 2022 season as part of a five year deal which will see him in the UAE colours through to 2026.
The 23 year old from Caldas de Rainha has had a strong and consistent 2021 with a top-10 finish in every stage race he has competed in this season (all World Tour level) , with a notable third-place podium finish at the UAE Tour and 6th place at the Giro d’Italia.
Almeida is also the current time trial champion of Portugal and represented his nation at the Olympics in Tokyo in both the road race and the time trial.
Joxean Matxin Fernandez (Team Manager) : “Almeida is a rider we’ve known for many years since he was a junior and we are delighted to welcome him to UAE Team Emirates. João is a cyclist of great quality and we have no doubt that he will be a strong pillar in the team. He’s a hugely talented and versatile rider and I’m sure we’ll enjoy many great successes together with him in our squad. Our aim is to strengthen the team year by year and we have full confidence that João will bring great things to the group, both as an athlete and as a person.”
Almeida : “I am really looking forward to this new chapter in my career and in my life.
I feel like the move to UAE Team Emirates is coming at the right time and I’m sure I will be happy on this new adventure. The team is growing every year and I can’t wait to be a part of it.
I am quite a thoughtful person by nature and I find myself already dreaming and visualising about the future and I’m super excited about it.”
