The maglia rosa of the Giro d’Italia weighs 190g. But it can feel a lot heavier. When upcoming Portuguese rider João Almeida first pulled it on in 2020 he was just 21 years old. “It was, first of all, a big surprise to take the pink jersey,” says Almeida. “It was my first year as a pro in the WorldTour so it was super nice but I wasn’t really prepared for it so I had to grow and mature.”
Almeida had been tipped for greatness but he was in his first year in the WorldTour, having joined Deceuninck- Quick Step from development squad Hagens Berman Axeon that winter. He very nearly held the jersey until the end of the race, only losing it on stage 18.
“Every day I was wearing the jersey, I felt like I would grow a little bit more because you need to deal with so much. I was having to constantly learn to be a leader,” he says. “I felt like I grew a lot in those 21 days. I definitely left the Giro a different person.”
Almeida’s experience is shared by many young riders. They work their whole life to get to the WorldTour, cycling’s highest level, but that journey is a mere introduction. Success at the top comes with a lot more scrutiny than they are used to. The limelight shines brighter up on the biggest stage.
Almeida coped with the glare well, but he didn’t do it alone, of course. The demands placed on riders by the WorldTour are many and varied – we examine some of the most stressful and how best to cope with them.
Mentorship and race craft
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike