At a time when he was still in fourth place in the general classification and still well launched to grab a podium position, the Portuguese João Almeida had to leave the Giro, after a positive test for covid-19, this Thursday morning. At the end of the day, the cyclist from A-dos Francos assumed the disappointment.
“I don’t even know how to start… This morning, sadness filled my heart. Maybe it’s because I’m still young and I’ve never had a mishap like this, for the moment and the circumstances”, he wrote in a publication on social networks.
The Team Emirates cyclist woke up with a sore throat and fever and has not even participated in the 18th stage of the Vuelta a Italia.
“I love what I do, it’s my focus. And I love the Giro even more. It has a special meaning for me. But I understand that setbacks are part of the path and I accept it. To move forward, I felt the need to come here to vent, not complain and thank everyone for their tireless support, especially at this time. I wish my teammates all the best for the rest of the Giro. Time to recover and come back stronger», concluded João Almeida.
the belgian Dries de Bondt (Alpecin-Fenix) won this Thursday’s stagein a restricted sprint, with the Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz (INEOS) keeping the pink jersey.
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