UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s media day has already produced one major surprise with one of Tadej Pogačar’s key lieutenants, João Almeida, announcing that he would be missing out on the Tour de France in 2026.
The decision means that Pogačar will race without one of the team’s best climbers by his side as he bids for a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title.
The Portuguese rider had a breakthrough year in 2025, claiming victories in multiple week-long stage races at the Tour de Suisse, Tour de Romandie and Itzulia Basque Country, as well as finishing second in the Vuelta a España.
Part of UAE Team Emirates-XRG since 2022, Almeida was a key part of the support group surrounding Pogačar at the Tour in previous editions, although he crashed out of the 2025 race on stage 9 having ridden strongly in the opening week. However, next year, barring major surprises, Almeida will not be there in July.
Later today, Pogačar and other UAE Team Emirates-XRG riders will also reveal their 2026 race programmes.
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at CyclingNews RSS Feed…