João Almeida wins final stage and GC at Itzulia Basque Country

Rounding off a tremendous week of racing for UAE Team Emirates-XRG at Itzulia Basque Country, João Almeida beat Enric Mas (Movistar) in a two-up sprint to win stage 6 and seal the overall victory of the race. In doing so, the Portuguese climber takes UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s 26th and 27th wins of the season, whilst claiming his first stage race victory since signing for the team in 2022.

The final day in Eibar was made all the sweeter by the performance of Isaac del Toro, who gave his every last ounce of energy to take fourth place across the line and seize the young rider’s classification at the last opportunity. Ending the race with the blue jersey on his back, Del Toro can be proud of his efforts in the Basque Country, as can the rest of his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammates.

In the traditional, tough final stage that saw the peloton tackle no less than seven categorised climbs, Marc Soler, Brandon McNulty and Felix Großschartner were by the side of their teammate and race leader throughout the afternoon. Keen to repay their efforts, Almeida looked to not only finish the job and take the general classification victory, but go in search of a second stage win of the week.

It was on the penultimate climb that the damage was done, with the peloton torn to shreds as heavy rainfall ensued and McNulty produced a vicious turn of pace at the front. Handing over the reins to Großschartner halfway up the category one test, McNulty stayed in the wheels alongside Del Toro and Soler, as the Austrian went to work at denting the morale of their rivals. With every turn of the pedal, it seemed as though another rider was dispatched from the back of the bunch, until only Almeida, Mas and a handful of other contenders remained.

Between here and the finish, the race was in tatters. Ultimately, Mas and Almeida proved the strongest, whilst Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) battled bravely from the breakaway to hang on to third place. Behind the leading duo, the trio of Soler, McNulty and Großschartner marked the chasing groups, as Del Toro squeezed himself to the limit, desperate to finish in as strong a position as possible.

His efforts were rewarded, with fourth place over the line taking him into the blue jersey as the winner of the young rider’s classification. As for Almeida, his battle with Mas went all the way to the line, where the pair sprinted for the stage honours. It was a canny move to take the initiative inside the final 400m and having moved himself to the front, the Portuguese led out the sprint in front of the Spaniard.

Once Almeida had made his charge, there was no coming around the UAE Team Emirates-XRG man. As he roared across the line and celebrated his stage and overall victory, Almeida was able to cheer his fourth win of the season. The 26-year-old also ends Itzulia Basque Country as the winner of the points classification, capping off a brilliant week for himself and the team.

Speaking after the finish, the GC victor was quick to heap the praise on his teammates.

Almeida: “The team did a perfect job today, like every day. We are super strong, we did what we planned to do and then in the end the rain came. It was starting to be a bit dangerous so I never took any risks. I am glad I was in a safe position and I was ahead, so I am super happy with how it went today.

“This means a lot. There are so many sacrifices for me, for my family and for my girlfriend. It is hard to be a professional rider these days with these high levels, so it means a lot. I think it is the biggest victory of my career, and hopefully, it is the first of [many] more.”

Itzulia Basque Country stage 6 result:

1. João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 3:56:54

2. Enric Mas (Movistar) s.t

3. Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) +13″

4. Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +28″

9. Felix Großschartner (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +1:19

Itzulia Basque Country final general classification after stage 6:

1. João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 20:04:49

2. Enric Mas (Movistar) +1:52

3. Max Schachmann (Soudal Quick-Step) +1:59