João Almeida out of Giro d'Italia after positive Covid test
UAE-Team Emirates rider was fourth on general classification after stage 17


João Almeida has abandoned the Giro d'Italia after testing positive for Covid. The UAE Team Emirates rider was sitting fourth on general classification after stage 17, and was hoping to battle for a podium position in the final four days of the race.
The news was confirmed by UAE Team Emirates late on Thursday morning, ahead of stage 18. He has mild Covid symptoms which developed on Wednesday night, thus making testing necessary. All other riders and team members have tested negative.
Michele De Grandi, UAE Team Emirates' doctor at the Giro d’Italia, said in a statement: "Almeida woke up last night from persistent pain in his throat and the test gave a positive result. We observe strict rules of prevention and, in addition to sanitising the environments which the team uses each day (cars, buses, hotel rooms, etc.), we keep the athletes themselves in single rooms in order to limit very close contacts.
"However, despite these precautions they clearly do not provide 100% shelter as we have seen."
Mauro Gianetti, the team's principal said that while it was upsetting, the team had to accept the news and move forward.
"We are obviously deeply upset because João and the supporting team were doing an excellent race," he said.
"Our goals were the podium of the Giro and the white jersey as best young rider and we were fighting to win them both. It is bad news, but this is the reality we have been living every day for two years. We have to accept it and look forward. Now the most important thing is that João recovers as soon as possible."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Almeida was leading the young rider (maglia bianca) classification until his retirement from the Giro, meaning it will now be lead by Juan Pedro López (Trek-Segafredo), the previous pink jersey wearer. He finished 4th at the 2020 Giro, then 6th last year, and was hoping to go better in this edition.
The Portuguese rider lost time on his GC rivals on Wednesday, conceding over a minute to Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers), Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Mikel Landa (Bahrain-Victorious). However, he remained under 50 seconds behind Landa in third place, making the podium a very real possibility. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana-Qazaqstan) has now moved up to fourth on GC.
Almeida is considered a superior time-triallist to the three riders who were above him in the race, so was expected to claw back time on Sunday's race against the clock in Verona, an event that will now not happen.
He has been a tenacious presence in the race, refusing to give up and ship lots of time to his rivals on the previous two stages, but had all but given up his tilt at overall victory after Wednesday's stage.
“I mean everything is possible, but I would say it’s almost impossible to take pink,” Almeida said post-stage. “But I think the podium is still possible. I still believe.”
Sadly for him, that podium dream is now impossible, for 2022 at least.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Adam is Cycling Weekly’s news editor – his greatest love is road racing but as long as he is cycling, he's happy. Before joining CW in 2021 he spent two years writing for Procycling. He's usually out and about on the roads of Bristol and its surrounds.
Before cycling took over his professional life, he covered ecclesiastical matters at the world’s largest Anglican newspaper and politics at Business Insider. Don't ask how that is related to riding bikes.
-
Casper van Uden sprints to victory in unusual TT helmet on Giro d'Italia stage 4
Dutchman beats Olav Kooij and Mads Pedersen in bunch kick in Lecce
-
Unmarked helmets, a new Campagnolo groupset, and fresh kit: Five of the best tech finds from the Giro d'Italia 2025
There's new equipment on display at the first men's Grand Tour of the year
-
Casper van Uden sprints to victory in unusual TT helmet on Giro d'Italia stage 4
Dutchman beats Olav Kooij and Mads Pedersen in bunch kick in Lecce
-
How does the general classification work at the Giro d'Italia?
We untangle the rules around overall winners and stage winners – and those tricky bonus seconds
-
Giro d'Italia rider almost wiped out by goat: 'Albania's great – just watch out for the goats!'
Dion Smith of Intermarché-Wanty confirmed it was the first time that a goat had tried to knock him off his bike.
-
Mads Pedersen reclaims pink jersey after second Giro d'Italia sprint win on stage 3
Former world champion edges out Corbin Strong, with Orluis Aular third
-
From heartache to elation as Josh Tarling takes biggest career victory at Giro d'Italia: 'It's super special'
The Ineos Grenadiers rider becomes the first Welshman to win a stage of the Italian Grand Tour.
-
Who could complete the Grand Tour hat-trick at the men’s Giro d’Italia?
Six male riders could become stage winners in all three Grand Tours this month
-
Who is leading the Giro d'Italia 2025 after stage 4?
The full general classification, along with the latest stage result, and the standings for the other jerseys
-
How Sam Bennett changed his training in his quest to win Giro d'Italia stages: 'It's given me confidence'
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale sprinter will be leading the French team at Giro d'Italia, and is one of a few headline sprinters