'If we went all out, I think we could catch him' - Almeida reflects on Evenepoel chase at Valenciana

João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) has stated that Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) was “just stronger” on stage 4 of the Volta Comunitat Valenciana, but admitted that he believes it was possible to catch the Olympic Champion on the run-in to the finish. 

With his fifth win in seven race days for Red Bull, Evenepoel has all but sealed the GC with one stage remaining, with Almeida, who was runner-up on the day, now sitting second overall at 0:29. 

When Evenepoel accelerated on the slopes of the Cumbre del Sol with just over 10km to go, Almeida maintained his own tempo. The Portuguese rider was content with his performance, but believed he would have been better suited to a longer climb in the finale.

“It was a fast day, quite hard. I did my best, but Remco is just stronger,” said Almeida to Cycling Pro Net. “Yeah, you know, if it [Cumbre del Sol] were a bit longer, I think it would be better for me. But it is what it is. I did my best. 
I think I did pretty good and I think we did a good team job as well."

Almeida would form part of the second group on the road, featuring Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain-Victorious), Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), and would eventually be joined by his American teammate Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) on a headwind run-in to the finish, which Evenepoel admitted post-race was difficult.

Almeida and Tiberi acknowledged the fact that the Belgian was within sight at points in the run-in to the finish, and the headwind was more advantageous for the chase group rather than the solo rider. Equally, both believed at times that it was possible to catch the Belgian, but it would also be difficult with his teammate Pellizzari in the group, naturally not cooperating with the chase. 

“We were two in a group, with one from Bora that didn't really work. I think if we'd go all out, I think we could catch him. 
But I think Antonio [Tiberi] was also looking a bit to save the legs. But, yeah, it's cycling,” said a relaxed Almeida.

Meanwhile, Tiberi explained how he and Almeida had committed to the chase, but the strength of Evenepoel prevailed in the end.

“Yeah, at one moment he was there maybe, I don't know, 300 metres in front of us, 10 seconds, and I, with Almeida, spoke to each other and we said ‘come on, let's keep him. ’
But then he [Evenepoel] went really, really fast, and he went again,” Tiberi told Cycling Pro Net.

With one final stage remaining that is set to be one for the sprinters, Almeida now sits second, and Tiberi jumped to fourth at 0:35, and currently sits 0:04 behind the third and final podium spot that is occupied by fellow Italian Pellizzari.