João Almeida (UAE Emirates) will miss the Volta ao Algarve, the Portuguese cyclist's agent confirmed to Lusa today, indicating that the third-placed Giro2023 cyclist will start the season at Paris-Nice.
«João is not sick, but he had some problems with a small cold, which delayed his preparation. So, he chose not to start the season now and start at Paris-Nice, so as not to jeopardize the objectives [for the season]", explained João Correia to the Lusa agency.
The best Portuguese cyclist today had planned to start the season at the Clássica da Figueira, scheduled for Saturday, and later head to the Volta ao Algarve, which takes place between the 14th and 18th of February and in which he finished sixth last year.
Thus, the cyclist from A-dos-Francos (Caldas da Rainha), who this year will be in the Tour de France, will only make his debut in 2024 at Paris-Nice, one of the most emblematic stage races on the international calendar, which takes place between March 3rd and 10th.
João Correia also confirmed to Lusa that Rui Costa (EF Education-Easy Post) will also fail the Clássica da Figueira. The 2013 long distance world champion will, however, be in Algarve, where he was third in 2014.
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