João Almeida reveals why he is skipping Paris-Nice

Almeida had initially been pencilled in to start his third race of the season after finishing second at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and third at the Volta ao Algarve. The 26-year-old also rode Paris-Nice last year, finishing sixth overall and winning a stage.

Shortly after the team announcement, Almeida clarified his absence in a message on Instagram, revealing that illness had disrupted his preparation for the 'Race to the Sun'.

“Unfortunately I won’t do Paris-Nice this year,” Almeida wrote. “A few days after Algarve I got sick with flu symptoms and I wasn’t able to complete a training session until four days before the start of the race. I don’t feel good and fit to race, especially such a hard race as Paris-Nice.”

Although he says he is feeling healthy again, the UAE Team Emirates XRG rider believes he currently lacks the fitness needed to compete in a race as demanding as Paris-Nice.

“Today I am feeling healthy again and my natural motivation to train and push myself is back, but my fitness just isn’t there. I will now focus on being ready for our next goals, which will be Catalunya and the Giro.”

Almeida also thanked his team for their continued support. “It’s never enough to thank the team UAE Team Emirates XRG for their support, their trust and believing in me. Sometimes when we crash we break bones and we see the damage our body takes. When we get sick the damage is there as well, it is just less visible. Don’t crash and don’t get sick. Take care of yourself.”

UAE Team Emirates-XRG will start Paris-Nice with a line -p consisting of Igor Arrieta, Rune Herregodts, Nils Politt, former stage winner Brandon McNulty, Ivo Oliveira, Pavel Sivakov and 2018 winner Marc Soler.

The team won the general classification in 2023 with Tadej Pogačar and has already recorded 13 victories so far this season.

Despite Almeida’s absence, the race still features several major contenders for the yellow jersey, including Jonas Vingegaard, Juan Ayuso and Oscar Onley. Paris-Nice begins in Achères on 8 March and finishes after eight stages in Nice on 15 March.