'Massive loss' for Tadej Pogacar as UAE super domestique team-mate Joao Almeida forced to abandon 2025 Tour de France on Stage 9 due to injury
Updated 14/07/2025 at 09:13 GMT+1
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It's a huge blow for Tadej Pogacar as his UAE Team Emirates-XRG super domestique team-mate Joao Almeida was forced to retire from the 2025 Tour de France on Stage 9 due to injury. Almeida was led into the team car after being dropped during Sunday's flat run to 'Cavendish City'. The Portuguese had been battling wounds incurred from a big crash on Stage 7.
Pogacar: We will keep fighting with seven after really sad Almeida exit
Video credit: TNT Sports
Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) is out of the Tour de France after retiring from injury.
The news follows a big crash suffered by the Portuguese on Stage 7.
A message over the UAE radio was aired with just under 78km of Stage 9 left to run.
"Guys, Joao is dropped and he will stop, so he will retire from the race."
Almeida, as remarked upon by TNT Sports' Larry Warbasse during commentary, had appeared to be riding in a lopsided way, compromised by pain in his left-sided rib area.
A UAE statement on their rider's retirement read: "Despite trying his best to battle on from his stage 7 injuries, Joao Almeida has been forced to abandon the Tour de France 2025.
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"The Portuguese climber bravely tried to continue the race to support his teammates, but his TDF journey comes to an end on stage 9.
"Joao will now refocus for goals later in the season. Heal up soon, Joao!"
Speaking after Almeida had been assessed post-Stage 7 after his high-speed accident, UAE had been optimistic their rider would be able to continue in the race.
UAE doctor Adrian Rotunno said: "Joao suffered a heavy fall in the stage finale today.
"Thankfully, there was no serious injury and he was able to finish the stage.
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Joao Almeida
Image credit: Getty Images
"After clinical examination, we immediately took him for relevant radiological investigations. It’s confirmed he has an uncomplicated left-sided rib fracture, as well as some profound abrasions to his body. Fortunately, no concussion.
"We will be monitoring him carefully going forward. The next few days will be difficult for him, but at this point, he should be able to start tomorrow’s stage."
The withdrawal of Almeida is a significant setback for Tadej Pogacar, depriving him of one his key mountain lieutenants.
Almeida has been in impressive form in 2025, and post-Stage 9, Pogacar admitted his admiration for his team-mate.
"We are really sad that we lost Joao today, but I think it was just too much," the Slovenian said.
"I was suffering on the bike, I cannot imagine him today with all the pain, we were going so fast all day.
"It must have been really painful, because what he showed the last two days, he didn't give up just because he didn't want to continue.
"I have so much respect for him, I'm really grateful that I could ride with him the last week. I wish that he can recover now, and I cannot wait to see him back in action in the next race, I think he will come back stronger."
Asked how Almeida's absence will impact his GC hopes, Pogacar added: "We will see.
"It was a luxury to have him in the GC. He could also do a great result here in the Tour for himself.
"For sure he would have been a great help in the mountains, morally, physically, everything.
"Now we have to reassess a little bit, we will manage and we will keep fighting with seven, and we will try to win this Tour for Joao."
Adam Blythe, speaking on TNT Sports' The Breakaway, called it a "massive loss" for UAE.
Stage 9, a flat day finishing in 'Cavendish City', was animated from the first whistle by Mathieu van der Poel, as Alpecin-Deceuninck delivered a shock move off the front, before the peloton caught them.
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WATCH: 'What's happening here?' - Alpecin launch daring early attack from 0km on Stage 9
Video credit: TNT Sports
Tim Merlier subsequently stormed to a sprint victory to land his second win of the Tour.
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