News | Team | Vuelta a Espana • September 13, 2025
João Almeida strong in penultimate Vuelta a España stage, all but seals second overall
UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader goes on the offensive on the tough slopes of Bola del Mundo, but is forced to settle for second overall come Madrid
João Almeida delivered a valiant effort today in Stage 20 of La Vuelta a España, finishing fifth on the gruelling summit finish at Bola del Mundo. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG team leader left it all out on the road from Robledo de Chavela to Bola del Mundo, as the race battle heads into the final day.
Starting the stage 44 seconds behind race leader Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease A Bike), Almeida rode with resolve on the steep slopes, pushing the rivals, closing gaps and staying with the front group as the climb struck its hardest gradients.
Though he was unable to match the decisive surge from Vingegaard in the final kilometre, Almeida finished strongly, crossing the line 22 seconds behind the stage winner. The result cements his position as second overall in the general classification heading into the final stage in Madrid.
Speaking to the awaiting press after the stage, the Portuguese rider relayed his contentment at having pushed Vingegaard to the limit in this year’s Vuelta.
Almeida: “We did what we could, so we can be satisfied with it. We tried to make the race as hard as possible to see what was possible, we had nothing to lose. But of course, I believed until the end.
“In that last kilometre when Vingegaard attacked, I felt that I could not really follow and he was stronger. I have not been feeling great, but it is what it is, and I think that we can still be proud of our three weeks.
“We considered to attack but in the end I just didn’t have the legs. I tried to put a hard pace, as hard as I could, but in the end this just wasn’t enough.”
Vuelta a España stage 20 results
1. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) 3:56:23
2. Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) +11″
3. Jai Hindley (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) +13″
5. João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +22″
Vuelta a España general classification after stage 20
1. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) 72:53:57
2. João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +1:16
3. Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling) +3:11
