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2d ago

Almeida Withdraws From Tour de France, Alters Pogacar’s Mountain Plans

The rib fracture he suffered in Stage 7 sidelines him from the race, prompting Tadej Pogacar to find fresh domestique strength before the Massif Central stages.

Cycling - Tour de France - Stage 7 - Saint-Malo to Mur-De-Bretagne Guerledan - Saint-Malo, France - July 11, 2025 UAE Team Emirates XRG's Joao Almeida crosses the finish line with injuries after a crash during stage 7 REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage 9 - Chinon to Chateauroux - Chinon, France - July 13, 2025 UAE Team Emirates XRG's Tadej Pogacar wearing the yellow jersey crosses the finish line after stage 9 REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
Joao Almeida climbing into his team car

Overview

  • Almeida officially abandoned the 2025 Tour de France after announcing his withdrawal over team radio during Stage 9 owing to a rib fracture sustained in a 12-rider crash on Stage 7.
  • Despite finishing Stage 8 under duress, the Portuguese rider was dropped early in Stage 9 when the injury proved too severe to continue.
  • Almeida had entered the Tour as a leading contender following victories in three major stage races this season, having finished fourth in last year’s edition.
  • His departure leaves Tadej Pogacar without his primary mountain domestique as the race approaches the challenging Massif Central segments.
  • UAE Team Emirates-XRG must now restructure its support lineup to shore up tactics for Pogacar’s general classification ambitions in the coming mountain stages.