UAE Team Emirates has announced Joao Almeida, who is the main lieutenant for defending Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar in this year’s Tour, has suffered a fractured rib in a crash that occurred in the final part of stage 7 at the 2025 Tour de France.

A crash occurred in the rear part of the main peloton with approximately five kilometers of stage 7 remaining as the riders were approaching Mur-de-Bretagne for the second time in the stage. The crash brought down Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates), who was bruised and battered almost everywhere, yesterday’s stage winner Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost), Enric Mas (Movistar), and other riders.

Almeida was seen sitting at the ditch side following the high-velocity crash while the rest of the Tour peloton pressed on towards the finish line. Almeida later got back on his bike and rode all the way to the finish line bleeding, bruised and battered – and with torn cycling jersey and bibs. 

The UAE Team Emirates doctor ensured relevant X-rays were conducted on Almeida after the stage.

“A clinical examination after the finish confirmed there is fortunately no concussion. We then took Almeida for relevant radiological investigations. The X-rays confirmed he has suffered an uncomplicated left-sided rib fracture,” Dr. Adriano Rotunno explained to Roadcycling.com.

“Joao has also suffered some profound abrasions to his skin, and we will be monitoring him closely in the days to come. The next few days will be difficult for him, but at this point, he should be able to start tomorrow’s stage 8,” Rotunno continued.

Joao Almeida is a crucial element in Tadej Pogacar’s and the whole UAE team’s quest to defend the Tour de France Champion title in this year’s race as the rider is known for his great climbing skills and persistence and was intended as lead-out rider for Pogacar in the high mountain climbs to follow later in the Tour.

Almeida impressively won this year’s Itzulia Basque Country, Tour de Romandie, and Tour de Suisse.

“Unfortunately Joao crashed, and I hope he is ok. My victory today is dedicated to him.” Tour de France leader Pogacar told Roadcycling.com.

The whole team here at Roadcycling.com is wishing Joao Almeida a complete and speedy recovery.

Stay tuned to Roadcycling.com for complete coverage from the 2025 Tour de France.