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João Almeida (Deceuninck-Quick Step), leader of the Volta a Itália by bicycle, was forced to stop due to a radio problem and ended up being hit by another cyclist, in a scare that had no consequences.
“I had a problem with the radio and I stopped, and that’s when a cyclist went against me. But I’m fine, I hope it has no consequences,” the 22-year-old Portuguese explained to journalists, after the sixth stage, won by the French Arnaud. Démare (Groupama-FDJ).
Almeida, who wore the pink jersey won on Monday, explained that the experience of leading the Giro makes it “everything different”, in a year in which he made his debut in grand tours and in the WorldTour squad.
In this “great race,” he explained, he hopes to learn and has “a very strong team, giving everything,” so he wants to stay ahead, even if he doesn’t set any final position goal.
“I’m going to hold the sweater at least a few more days and it’s on my head [conseguir chegar à última semana na liderança], but I want to go day by day ”, he shot.
Asked by journalists about possible changes in the last week, in which the high mountain is ‘threatened’ by the possibility of snowfall and bad weather on the peaks, which can cause changes in the route, the Caldas da Rainha cyclist shared doubts about maintaining the plan but admitted that he would like to play these scenarios as they are.
“I don’t know if we’re going to do them all for the snow, but I know [as subidas] very good, I walked there. I hope they don’t change, I really like doing them, I’m very excited ”, he commented.
As for the seventh stage, on Friday, flat and aimed at sprinters, the Deceuninck-Quick Step leader admitted that this could be a draw for Colombian sprinter Álvaro Hodeg, a teammate who has had few opportunities so far.
“He is very strong, but there was no stage for a pure sprinter like him. Tomorrow [sexta-feira] it is possible, even if there is wind ”, he considered.
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