Joao Almeida returns to the Giro d'Italia next week as leader of UAE Team Emirates after finishing fourth in 2020 and sixth last year.

In his first year in the UAE from Quick Step, the 23-year-old will lead a strong seven-man selection that combines both GC and sprint ambitions, along with five-time Giro d'Italia stage winner Fernando Gaviria.

Almeida, along with Alessandro Covi, Rui Costa, Davide Formolo, Diego Ulissi, Rui Oliveira, and Max Richeze, will support the first Grand Tour of the season, having worn the pink jersey for two weeks in his debut race two years ago, This time he will be aiming for the podium.

"This race is special for me, I have great memories here and I am excited to be back with a great team in search of good results," Almeida said in a team press release.

"My preparation for the Giro is going very well. Since the last race I have been training at high altitude with my teammates in the Sierra Nevada, Spain, and I'm looking forward to getting back to the top of my game.

"Of course my goal is to do well in the GC, but I have Fernando in the sprint and a lot of guys who have won this Giro before. I can't wait to get started."

Gaviria, who will race in Eschborn-Frankfurt on Sunday before taking on the Giro, will be looking to add to his two wins at the 2022 Tour of Oman. He took the points jersey on his Giro debut in 2017.

Almeida, meanwhile, is off to a solid start in 2022, finishing fifth in the UAE Tour, eighth in Paris-Nice, and third in the Volta a Catalunya.

"I am excited to be coming into the Giro with a strong team. Almeida will be in contention for the overall and I think this is a team that can support him."

"Gaviria is also back from injury and getting back into form. Our guys have a lot of experience and are motivated for what we hope will be a beautiful race."

Almeida, along with Simon Yates, Richard Calapaz, and Miguel Angel Lopez, will be among the main contenders for glory in the competition. For an analysis of the main GC contenders, see.