UAE Team Emirates has announced that Joao Almeida will miss the Vuelta a España in COVID-19.

Almeida, 26, will not start Sunday's ninth stage from Motril to the Sierra Nevada.The Portuguese star, who finished third in the 2023 Giro d'Italia, had already lost significant time on stage 8, which was won by Primos Roglic (UAE Team Emirates) He had already suffered a big time loss on stage 8, which was won by Primoš Roglic (UAE Team Emirates).

Almeida, who supported Tour de France winner Tadej Pogachar, also started well in the Vuelta, finishing 10th in the opening time trial in his home town of Lisbon.

He remained in a podium position the following week, but on stage 8 he was left behind the peloton before the short climb to Cazorla, dropping to 26th place, 4:53 behind.

In a statement from team medical director Dr. Adrian Rotunno, the UAE said: “João complained of feeling unwell during stage 8 of La Vuelta. João complained of feeling unwell during stage 8 of La Vuelta and PCR tests confirmed that he was infected with cobid 19, so for the safety of himself, the team and the peloton, we have decided to abandon the race. He will now return home to recover.

This is not the first time that COVID-19 has ruined Almeida's chances in a Grand Tour. He was already running fourth overall in the 2022 Giro d'Italia when he retired with the virus.

With morale high after winning the Giro and Tour, Almeida's departure will leave UAE Team Emirates, one of the strongest pre-race teams, struggling to make an impact on GC in the Vuelta.

The team got off to a good start with Brandon McNulty winning the opening time trial, but overall co-leader Adam Yates suffered a major crash on stage 6 and is 9 minutes behind.

His teammate Isaac del Toro, who is currently in last place at 6:32 behind, is making his first Grand Tour appearance.

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