The first week of racing wasn't even over, and the top contenders from the various teams had already traded places in the standings several times.
However, after today's stage, the blow was undoubtedly greatest for UAE Team, the number one team on the World Tour.
This was because Almeida's sudden and abnormal collapse wasn't due to ordinary physical fatigue; rather, a post-race test revealed he had unfortunately contracted COVID.
Although this was the 2024 season and the virus was now considered about as serious as the flu, any rider who tested positive still had to withdraw from the race.
The circumstances were identical to when their rider Ayuso had to withdraw mid-race from the Tour de France after contracting COVID, but the implications were entirely different.
Because when Ayuso withdrew, he was, at the end of the day, just a support rider.
But here at the Vuelta a España, Almeida was their one and only Core Commander!
