Joao Almeida is happy after his victory on the Angliru. The Portuguese rider thus brought the sixth victory for his UAE Emirates team in this Vuelta, while for him this is his tenth seasonal success and twenty-third in his career.

"My teammates did a great stage and I can be happy with this victory - Almeida declared before going up to the stage for the award ceremony - I gave my all, I always had Jonas on my wheel and it wasn't easy. I pushed myself to the limit."

Jonas Vingegaard had said yesterday that he would have liked to win on the Angliru to dedicate the success to his family. Everyone was waiting for the Dane to make his move, but in the end he remained on the Portuguese rider's wheel.

"I was expecting his attack at any moment, but in the end it didn't come. I knew the finish and knew it was tough, but I also knew how to manage it."

Almeida was always in the lead in the last part of the race, and on the climb to Angliru, Vingegaard never collaborated and never attempted to overtake him.

"I think the Angliru is the hardest climb in the world, it's crazy, it's the toughest climb in cycling. And I really like it."

Today's victory is certainly an important result for the Portuguese rider, who with a 46" gap in the general classification, can still hope to win the Vuelta.

"I must say that Jonas looked phenomenal again today. Winning on this climb is certainly very motivating for me, and I look forward to the next days which will undoubtedly be very challenging."