The 2024 World Championships will kick off with the elite time trial this Sunday in Zurich. Portugal will be represented by João Almeida and Nelson Oliveira. “Bota Lume” competed at the World Time Trial in Glasgow last year. He covered a distance of 47.8km but finished in a modest 23rd place, 3 minutes and 7 seconds behind the winner Remco Evenepoel. This is one of the longest distances to date for the 26-year-old cyclist.
“I think this year will be a little longer. [46.1 km]”I think it will be a good time trial, a pretty fast one, with some climbs and, to be honest, some descents that are a bit dangerous, but I think it suits our abilities, so it's all about leg strength,” Almeida explained in a statement to the Portuguese Cycling Federation.
For Almeida, this is a special race, as the UAE Team Emirates rider will be returning to competition after withdrawing from the Vuelta a Espana, where he started as favourite, due to COVID-19. Almeida goes into the race without any ambitions: “I don't see the result as a personal goal. This is also my first race after the Vuelta and after COVID-19. I know I'm in good shape so I'm just going to do my best.”
The Portuguese cyclist also points out the shortcomings of the time trial course, but acknowledges that the irregularities of the route could work to the Portuguese's advantage: “I think the uphill and downhill sections are good for us. I think we're good at the downhills too. The last downhill section is always dangerous. There are some places with poor visibility, with poor visibility, a lot of bumps on the road, not suitable at all for a time trial. But overall it's the same for everyone and I think it will all work out well in the end.”
