June 21, 2025
UAE Team Emirates -XRG celebrated another major triumph at the Tour de Suisse, with João Almeida storming to an emphatic victory on Stage 7.
The Portuguese all-rounder delivered a measured and powerful ride in the final kilometres, outsprinting Oscar Onley (Team Picnic PostNL) and race leader Kevin Vauquelin (Arkea-B&B Hotels) in the closing metres to claim the win after 207 km of racing from Neuhausen am Rheinfall to Emmetten.
Almeida crossed the line in 4:38:25, earning a 10-second time bonus and vital gains in the general classification. He now sits firmly in the top three overall, just 33 seconds behind current race leader Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa–B&B Hotels), who finished third on the stage, having launched his sprint early to surprise his rivals.
Almeida: “It was a hard day, fast all day. My teammates did a perfect job; they were super strong and pulled all day to catch the breakaway. This victory is for them. Every second is important, and we had to do our best.
I don’t think I’m the favourite for overall victory, Vauquelin is also strong in the TT, so it’s going to be tough. But I’m going to give everything I have.”
This win marks Almeida’s 7th victory of the season, and the 47th for the Emirati squad, continuing UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s momentum.
Tour de Suisse stage 7 results
1.Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 4:38:27
2.Oscar Onley (Team Picnic PostNL) s.t
3.Kevin Vauquelin (Arkea-B&B Hotels) s.t
Tour de Suisse GC after stage 7
1..Kevin Vauquelin (Arkea-B&B Hotels) 29:00:55
2.Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +33”
3.Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Cycling) +41”
