{"id":2059474,"date":"2026-07-24T00:53:57","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T21:53:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2059474"},"modified":"2026-07-24T00:53:57","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T21:53:57","slug":"sick-soldiers-and-mixed-messages-whats-really-going-on-at-uae-team-emirates-xrg-and-how-will-it-change-the-last-days-of-the-tour-de-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2059474","title":{"rendered":"Sick soldiers and mixed messages \u2013 What&#8217;s really going on at UAE Team Emirates-XRG and how will it change the last days of the Tour de France?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-2000-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Jonas Vingegaard abandoning the Tour de France doesn&#8217;t just make a fifth Tadej Poga\u010dar victory even more likely, it radically alters how we&#8217;ll perceive it \u2013 Analysis\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cEsH4jw9ZzpHAkQsHoKMSi-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cEsH4jw9ZzpHAkQsHoKMSi-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: GC drama on the slopes of the Col du Haag during stage 14 of the Tour de France\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eVSE6LWDoYCc2yxTskQHdR-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eVSE6LWDoYCc2yxTskQHdR-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;There was a misunderstanding, but Remco was better&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar\u00a0suffers a rare defeat as he turns domestique at Tour de France\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Sick soldiers and mixed messages \u2013 What&#8217;s really going on at UAE Team Emirates-XRG and how will it change the last days of the Tour de France?<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nPatrick Fletcher <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-24T00:53:57Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n24 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The collective might and will of Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s team has kept the peloton in check until now but with illness in the ranks that could be about to change<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates) as he collects the best climber&#8217;s jersey before also adding another yellow jersey to his collection on stage 18 of the 2026 Tour de France<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-7c85284c-86ec-11f1-b21b-5f5e08b69608\">And just like that, the Tour de France changes again. We were only just getting accustomed to the tactical complexion of a race without Jonas Vingegaard but now, with two mountain stages remaining, we have the strongest team in the race, the team of the yellow jersey, dropping like flies.<\/p>\n<p>Brandon McNulty is in his hotel room booking a flight from Geneva airport. Adam Yates is battling a stomach issue and riding on empty. Tim Wellens has a sore throat and only just made the time cut on Thursday. And it also transpires that Florian Vermeersch is carrying an injury. That\u2019s one man down for Tadej Poga\u010dar, three below their best, and just three fully fit \u2013 as far as we know \u2013 going into a crucial Alpe d\u2019Huez double header.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7c85284c-86ec-11f1-b21b-5f5e08b69608-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The as \u2018far as we know\u2019 feels important here. This wave of illness and injury is dramatic enough, but UAE Team Emirates-XRG, in their efforts to play down the intrigue, have only hammed it up.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Outside the team bus at the start of Thursday\u2019s stage 18, both team boss Mauro Gianetti and sporting manager Joxean Fern\u00e1ndez Matxin, played down the early rumours that other riders were coming down with illness. At the very same time, Wellens was in the mixed zone revealing to the Belgian media that he had a sore throat. Not only that, but Wellens\u2019 stated that all riders ate separately in their rooms the previous night, at the same time as Gianetti was saying it was just Yates who was isolated.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">More remarkably still, at the finish in Orci\u00e8res-Merlette, Matxin attempted to deny that Wellens was sick. Matxin\u2019s English can be slightly unclear at times but this was unmistakable: \u201cHe\u2019s not sick, he\u2019s not sick.\u201d He appeared to then claim it was normal that Wellens dropped back later in the stage to save his legs. That would be the same Tim Wellens who crawled to the line two minutes inside the time cut and told us: \u201cIt is pretty clear there is some illness in the team.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;There are bodies everywhere&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar plays down wave of illness within UAE camp at Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bQgUx2k93XB6Qim9qrgBeG-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bQgUx2k93XB6Qim9qrgBeG-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">\u2018Everyone wants to be in UAE Team Emirates-XRG, you can decide how the race happens\u2019 \u2013 Tables turn at Tour de France as Wellens and McNulty become breakaway riders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">I can&#8217;t understand why UAE Team Emirates-XRG are riding so much, but Poga\u010dar is so good that he will correct any mistakes in the Alps &#8211; Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The mixed messages are bizarre, only adding to the sense that there\u2019s something amiss and something to hide. Is it really respiratory issues for Wellens and McNulty? Is the stomach bug more widespread? The contradictions erode trust, and they also echo through the peloton.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"pallor-and-possibilities-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Pallor and possibilities<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-6769589c-86f2-11f1-a57a-ad28f3cb4c20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">On the surface, it would seem that Poga\u010dar is healthy, but already there are whispers about his pallor and a suggestion on French national television that he wore black shorts as it would be easier to hide a, let\u2019s just say, stomach issue. Yes, this theory was not just confined to social media but seriously put forward by a former pro.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-D4a3sD6yeBb4nvtBiJJtAQ\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-D4a3sD6yeBb4nvtBiJJtAQ slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And so, we go into a final double-header of mountain stages with the race not quite as wrapped up as we thought it was.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Don\u2019t get me wrong, the only way Poga\u010dar loses this race is if he comes down with illness himself. Provided he stays relatively healthy, he can see this race through even if all his teammates go home. He has more than four minutes in hand and is so superior to his remaining rivals that he would surely be able to defend himself against anything thrown his way on the next two days.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In this light, Jonas Vingegaard\u2019s exit from the race on Sunday starts to feel like even more of a shame. If there was anyone capable of testing and exploiting that hint of weakness in the UAE Team Emirates camp it was the Dane and his Visma-Lease a Bike teammates.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;An injury is holding me back&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch injury compounds UAE Team Emirates-XRG woes at Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Crazy good&#8217; &#8211; UAE Team Emirates-XRG&#8217;s perfect mountain strategy puts Tadej Poga\u010dar within reach of fifth Tour de France title<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">The final week of the Tour de France will look completely different now that Vingegaard is out &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In his absence, you have a Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) who has already stated he\u2019s racing for second place and has lost the only teammate realistically capable of helping him in the mountains. You have Poga\u010dar\u2019s own teammate Isaac del Toro in third, and in fourth you have a 19-year-old, Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM), who is probably not looking beyond Del Toro\u2019s podium spot and white jersey.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e868cbee-86f7-11f1-a626-3de663b8db62\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-67695900-86f2-11f1-977a-b1daead2c0a9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Although it\u2019s a long shot to envisage any sort of raids that truly threaten the yellow jersey, what we\u2019re likely to see on the next two mountain stages is more open racing, and that starts with the breakaways.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Stifled for much of this Tour by the collective might and will of UAE, George Bennett (NSN Cycling) said at the finish in Orci\u00e8res-Merlette that the escape artists would now \u201csmell blood\u201d.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A depleted UAE might struggle to control the breakaway as they have done in the past, which has two ramifications, the first being that they will have less of a grip on who exactly slips up the road, and the second that they will have less firepower to chase that break down to set up a stage win for Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Now, the 25-time stage winner with a four-minute lead doesn\u2019t need stage wins, but the talk is that he has his sights firmly set on an Alpe d\u2019Huez triumph to further cement his place in the legend of the Tour de France. That just became much harder to pull off.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The real Alpe d\u2019Huez comes on Friday on stage 19, but Saturday\u2019s monstrosity over the Croix de Fer, T\u00e9l\u00e9graphe, Galibier, and Sarenne is the truly pivotal stage from a general classification perspective. Any sign of weakness there will be punished in multiples, so while his teammates could continue to drop like flies, the threat of contagion hanging over Poga\u010dar himself does inject a degree of jeopardy and tension back into this Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Suddenly, thanks in no small part to the race leader&#8217;s own team, we have drama, we have intrigue, and we have a peloton that&#8217;s determined to throw down some moves through these two last dances in the Alps.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-67695964-86f2-11f1-9a32-2dd3b261c3f6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go!<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-D4a3sD6yeBb4nvtBiJJtAQ\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-D4a3sD6yeBb4nvtBiJJtAQ slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Patrick Fletcher<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Deputy Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Patrick is an NCTJ-accredited journalist with a bachelor\u2019s degree in modern languages (French and Spanish) and a decade\u2019s experience in digital sports media, largely within the world of cycling. He re-joined Cyclingnews as Deputy Editor in February 2026, having previously spent eight years on staff between 2015 and 2023. In between, he was Deputy Editor at GCN and spent 18 months working across the sports portfolio at Future before returning to the cycling press pack. Patrick works across Cyclingnews\u2019 wide-ranging output, assisting the Editor in global content strategy, with a particular focus on shaping CN&#8217;s news operation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;There are bodies everywhere&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar plays down wave of illness within UAE camp at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bQgUx2k93XB6Qim9qrgBeG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bQgUx2k93XB6Qim9qrgBeG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bQgUx2k93XB6Qim9qrgBeG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bQgUx2k93XB6Qim9qrgBeG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bQgUx2k93XB6Qim9qrgBeG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">\u2018Everyone wants to be in UAE Team Emirates-XRG, you can decide how the race happens\u2019 \u2013 Tables turn at Tour de France as Wellens and McNulty become breakaway riders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">I can&#8217;t understand why UAE Team Emirates-XRG are riding so much, but Poga\u010dar is so good that he will correct any mistakes in the Alps &#8211; Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;An injury is holding me back&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch injury compounds UAE Team Emirates-XRG woes at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Crazy good&#8217; &#8211; UAE Team Emirates-XRG&#8217;s perfect mountain strategy puts Tadej Poga\u010dar within reach of fifth Tour de France title<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The final week of the Tour de France will look completely different now that Vingegaard is out &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; How Carlos Sastre&#8217;s life changed when he won the Tour de France on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;An injury is holding me back&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch injury compounds UAE Team Emirates-XRG woes at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Heavy traffic closes main road to Alpe d&#8217;Huez early on Thursday ahead of double mountaintop finishes of Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Big shock to the system&#8217; &#8211; Former WorldTour rider Veronica Ewers resumes slow return to peloton with &#8216;experiment&#8217; at French ProTeam&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes training camp<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Richard Carapaz flies solo across the final kilometres to land stunning mountaintop victory on stage 18<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mfBLhCLSMXJbRQ95c7Vpqm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mfBLhCLSMXJbRQ95c7Vpqm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mfBLhCLSMXJbRQ95c7Vpqm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mfBLhCLSMXJbRQ95c7Vpqm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mfBLhCLSMXJbRQ95c7Vpqm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He&#8217;s got grinta&#8217; \u2013 Josh Tarling praised for breakaway performance as Netcompany Ineos try to salvage their Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; How Carlos Sastre&#8217;s life changed when he won the Tour de France on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Doping<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What to know about Tour de France nighttime testing \u2013 The rules, the results timeline, the ITA, reactions and more explained<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early Access: Watch our Van Rysel RCR-F review before it goes live on YouTube<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Kit &amp; Accessories<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Rapha Summer Sale is offering better than half price savings \u2013 here are my 15 best picks from the Men&#8217;s and Women&#8217;s ranges<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Remco Evenepoel is on the rise but the battle for the Tour de France podium is far from settled \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mauro&#8217;s stage win was old-school GreenEDGE, and it&#8217;s been like a pressure valve release for the whole team &#8211; Luke Plapp&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;Fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; How Carlos Sastre&#8217;s life changed when he won the Tour de France on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;Big shock to the system&#8217; &#8211; Former WorldTour rider Veronica Ewers resumes slow return to peloton with &#8216;experiment&#8217; at French ProTeam&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes training camp<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>What to know about Tour de France nighttime testing \u2013 The rules, the results timeline, the ITA, reactions and more explained<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I was on people&#8217;s blacklists&#8217; &#8211; Tom Pidcock absent from Tour de France breakaway on first day in the Alps<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;An injury is holding me back&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch injury compounds UAE Team Emirates-XRG woes at Tour de France<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Sick soldiers and mixed messages \u2013 What&#8217;s really going on at UAE Team Emirates-XRG and how will it change the last days of the Tour de France?<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nPatrick Fletcher <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-24T00:53:57Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n24 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The collective might and will of Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s team has kept the peloton in check until now but with illness in the ranks that could be about to change<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates) as he collects the best climber&#8217;s jersey before also adding another yellow jersey to his collection on stage 18 of the 2026 Tour de France<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-7c85284c-86ec-11f1-b21b-5f5e08b69608\">And just like that, the Tour de France changes again. We were only just getting accustomed to the tactical complexion of a race without Jonas Vingegaard but now, with two mountain stages remaining, we have the strongest team in the race, the team of the yellow jersey, dropping like flies.<\/p>\n<p>Brandon McNulty is in his hotel room booking a flight from Geneva airport. Adam Yates is battling a stomach issue and riding on empty. Tim Wellens has a sore throat and only just made the time cut on Thursday. And it also transpires that Florian Vermeersch is carrying an injury. That\u2019s one man down for Tadej Poga\u010dar, three below their best, and just three fully fit \u2013 as far as we know \u2013 going into a crucial Alpe d\u2019Huez double header.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7c85284c-86ec-11f1-b21b-5f5e08b69608-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The as \u2018far as we know\u2019 feels important here. This wave of illness and injury is dramatic enough, but UAE Team Emirates-XRG, in their efforts to play down the intrigue, have only hammed it up.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Outside the team bus at the start of Thursday\u2019s stage 18, both team boss Mauro Gianetti and sporting manager Joxean Fern\u00e1ndez Matxin, played down the early rumours that other riders were coming down with illness. At the very same time, Wellens was in the mixed zone revealing to the Belgian media that he had a sore throat. Not only that, but Wellens\u2019 stated that all riders ate separately in their rooms the previous night, at the same time as Gianetti was saying it was just Yates who was isolated.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">More remarkably still, at the finish in Orci\u00e8res-Merlette, Matxin attempted to deny that Wellens was sick. Matxin\u2019s English can be slightly unclear at times but this was unmistakable: \u201cHe\u2019s not sick, he\u2019s not sick.\u201d He appeared to then claim it was normal that Wellens dropped back later in the stage to save his legs. That would be the same Tim Wellens who crawled to the line two minutes inside the time cut and told us: \u201cIt is pretty clear there is some illness in the team.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;There are bodies everywhere&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar plays down wave of illness within UAE camp at Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bQgUx2k93XB6Qim9qrgBeG-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bQgUx2k93XB6Qim9qrgBeG-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">\u2018Everyone wants to be in UAE Team Emirates-XRG, you can decide how the race happens\u2019 \u2013 Tables turn at Tour de France as Wellens and McNulty become breakaway riders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">I can&#8217;t understand why UAE Team Emirates-XRG are riding so much, but Poga\u010dar is so good that he will correct any mistakes in the Alps &#8211; Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The mixed messages are bizarre, only adding to the sense that there\u2019s something amiss and something to hide. Is it really respiratory issues for Wellens and McNulty? Is the stomach bug more widespread? The contradictions erode trust, and they also echo through the peloton.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"pallor-and-possibilities-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Pallor and possibilities<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-6769589c-86f2-11f1-a57a-ad28f3cb4c20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">On the surface, it would seem that Poga\u010dar is healthy, but already there are whispers about his pallor and a suggestion on French national television that he wore black shorts as it would be easier to hide a, let\u2019s just say, stomach issue. Yes, this theory was not just confined to social media but seriously put forward by a former pro.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-D4a3sD6yeBb4nvtBiJJtAQ\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-D4a3sD6yeBb4nvtBiJJtAQ slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And so, we go into a final double-header of mountain stages with the race not quite as wrapped up as we thought it was.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Don\u2019t get me wrong, the only way Poga\u010dar loses this race is if he comes down with illness himself. Provided he stays relatively healthy, he can see this race through even if all his teammates go home. He has more than four minutes in hand and is so superior to his remaining rivals that he would surely be able to defend himself against anything thrown his way on the next two days.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In this light, Jonas Vingegaard\u2019s exit from the race on Sunday starts to feel like even more of a shame. If there was anyone capable of testing and exploiting that hint of weakness in the UAE Team Emirates camp it was the Dane and his Visma-Lease a Bike teammates.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;An injury is holding me back&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch injury compounds UAE Team Emirates-XRG woes at Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Crazy good&#8217; &#8211; UAE Team Emirates-XRG&#8217;s perfect mountain strategy puts Tadej Poga\u010dar within reach of fifth Tour de France title<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">The final week of the Tour de France will look completely different now that Vingegaard is out &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In his absence, you have a Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) who has already stated he\u2019s racing for second place and has lost the only teammate realistically capable of helping him in the mountains. You have Poga\u010dar\u2019s own teammate Isaac del Toro in third, and in fourth you have a 19-year-old, Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM), who is probably not looking beyond Del Toro\u2019s podium spot and white jersey.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e868cbee-86f7-11f1-a626-3de663b8db62\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-67695900-86f2-11f1-977a-b1daead2c0a9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Although it\u2019s a long shot to envisage any sort of raids that truly threaten the yellow jersey, what we\u2019re likely to see on the next two mountain stages is more open racing, and that starts with the breakaways.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Stifled for much of this Tour by the collective might and will of UAE, George Bennett (NSN Cycling) said at the finish in Orci\u00e8res-Merlette that the escape artists would now \u201csmell blood\u201d.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A depleted UAE might struggle to control the breakaway as they have done in the past, which has two ramifications, the first being that they will have less of a grip on who exactly slips up the road, and the second that they will have less firepower to chase that break down to set up a stage win for Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Now, the 25-time stage winner with a four-minute lead doesn\u2019t need stage wins, but the talk is that he has his sights firmly set on an Alpe d\u2019Huez triumph to further cement his place in the legend of the Tour de France. That just became much harder to pull off.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The real Alpe d\u2019Huez comes on Friday on stage 19, but Saturday\u2019s monstrosity over the Croix de Fer, T\u00e9l\u00e9graphe, Galibier, and Sarenne is the truly pivotal stage from a general classification perspective. Any sign of weakness there will be punished in multiples, so while his teammates could continue to drop like flies, the threat of contagion hanging over Poga\u010dar himself does inject a degree of jeopardy and tension back into this Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Suddenly, thanks in no small part to the race leader&#8217;s own team, we have drama, we have intrigue, and we have a peloton that&#8217;s determined to throw down some moves through these two last dances in the Alps.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-67695964-86f2-11f1-9a32-2dd3b261c3f6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go!<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-D4a3sD6yeBb4nvtBiJJtAQ\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-D4a3sD6yeBb4nvtBiJJtAQ slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Patrick Fletcher<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Deputy Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Patrick is an NCTJ-accredited journalist with a bachelor\u2019s degree in modern languages (French and Spanish) and a decade\u2019s experience in digital sports media, largely within the world of cycling. He re-joined Cyclingnews as Deputy Editor in February 2026, having previously spent eight years on staff between 2015 and 2023. In between, he was Deputy Editor at GCN and spent 18 months working across the sports portfolio at Future before returning to the cycling press pack. Patrick works across Cyclingnews\u2019 wide-ranging output, assisting the Editor in global content strategy, with a particular focus on shaping CN&#8217;s news operation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;There are bodies everywhere&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar plays down wave of illness within UAE camp at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bQgUx2k93XB6Qim9qrgBeG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bQgUx2k93XB6Qim9qrgBeG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bQgUx2k93XB6Qim9qrgBeG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bQgUx2k93XB6Qim9qrgBeG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bQgUx2k93XB6Qim9qrgBeG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">\u2018Everyone wants to be in UAE Team Emirates-XRG, you can decide how the race happens\u2019 \u2013 Tables turn at Tour de France as Wellens and McNulty become breakaway riders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">I can&#8217;t understand why UAE Team Emirates-XRG are riding so much, but Poga\u010dar is so good that he will correct any mistakes in the Alps &#8211; Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;An injury is holding me back&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch injury compounds UAE Team Emirates-XRG woes at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Crazy good&#8217; &#8211; UAE Team Emirates-XRG&#8217;s perfect mountain strategy puts Tadej Poga\u010dar within reach of fifth Tour de France title<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The final week of the Tour de France will look completely different now that Vingegaard is out &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; How Carlos Sastre&#8217;s life changed when he won the Tour de France on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;An injury is holding me back&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch injury compounds UAE Team Emirates-XRG woes at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Heavy traffic closes main road to Alpe d&#8217;Huez early on Thursday ahead of double mountaintop finishes of Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Big shock to the system&#8217; &#8211; Former WorldTour rider Veronica Ewers resumes slow return to peloton with &#8216;experiment&#8217; at French ProTeam&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes training camp<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Richard Carapaz flies solo across the final kilometres to land stunning mountaintop victory on stage 18<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mfBLhCLSMXJbRQ95c7Vpqm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mfBLhCLSMXJbRQ95c7Vpqm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mfBLhCLSMXJbRQ95c7Vpqm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mfBLhCLSMXJbRQ95c7Vpqm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mfBLhCLSMXJbRQ95c7Vpqm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He&#8217;s got grinta&#8217; \u2013 Josh Tarling praised for breakaway performance as Netcompany Ineos try to salvage their Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; How Carlos Sastre&#8217;s life changed when he won the Tour de France on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Doping<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What to know about Tour de France nighttime testing \u2013 The rules, the results timeline, the ITA, reactions and more explained<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early Access: Watch our Van Rysel RCR-F review before it goes live on YouTube<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Kit &amp; Accessories<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Rapha Summer Sale is offering better than half price savings \u2013 here are my 15 best picks from the Men&#8217;s and Women&#8217;s ranges<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Remco Evenepoel is on the rise but the battle for the Tour de France podium is far from settled \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mauro&#8217;s stage win was old-school GreenEDGE, and it&#8217;s been like a pressure valve release for the whole team &#8211; Luke Plapp&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;Fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; How Carlos Sastre&#8217;s life changed when he won the Tour de France on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;Big shock to the system&#8217; &#8211; Former WorldTour rider Veronica Ewers resumes slow return to peloton with &#8216;experiment&#8217; at French ProTeam&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes training camp<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>What to know about Tour de France nighttime testing \u2013 The rules, the results timeline, the ITA, reactions and more explained<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I was on people&#8217;s blacklists&#8217; &#8211; Tom Pidcock absent from Tour de France breakaway on first day in the Alps<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;An injury is holding me back&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch injury compounds UAE Team Emirates-XRG woes at Tour de France<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Sick soldiers and mixed messages \u2013 What&#8217;s really going on at UAE Team Emirates-XRG and how will it change the last days of the Tour de France?<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nPatrick Fletcher <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-24T00:53:57Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n24 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The collective might and will of Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s team has kept the peloton in check until now but with illness in the ranks that could be about to change<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-7c85284c-86ec-11f1-b21b-5f5e08b69608\">And just like that, the Tour de France changes again. We were only just getting accustomed to the tactical complexion of a race without Jonas Vingegaard but now, with two mountain stages remaining, we have the strongest team in the race, the team of the yellow jersey, dropping like flies.<\/p>\n<p>Brandon McNulty is in his hotel room booking a flight from Geneva airport. Adam Yates is battling a stomach issue and riding on empty. Tim Wellens has a sore throat and only just made the time cut on Thursday. And it also transpires that Florian Vermeersch is carrying an injury. That\u2019s one man down for Tadej Poga\u010dar, three below their best, and just three fully fit \u2013 as far as we know \u2013 going into a crucial Alpe d\u2019Huez double header.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7c85284c-86ec-11f1-b21b-5f5e08b69608-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The as \u2018far as we know\u2019 feels important here. This wave of illness and injury is dramatic enough, but UAE Team Emirates-XRG, in their efforts to play down the intrigue, have only hammed it up.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Outside the team bus at the start of Thursday\u2019s stage 18, both team boss Mauro Gianetti and sporting manager Joxean Fern\u00e1ndez Matxin, played down the early rumours that other riders were coming down with illness. At the very same time, Wellens was in the mixed zone revealing to the Belgian media that he had a sore throat. Not only that, but Wellens\u2019 stated that all riders ate separately in their rooms the previous night, at the same time as Gianetti was saying it was just Yates who was isolated.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">More remarkably still, at the finish in Orci\u00e8res-Merlette, Matxin attempted to deny that Wellens was sick. Matxin\u2019s English can be slightly unclear at times but this was unmistakable: \u201cHe\u2019s not sick, he\u2019s not sick.\u201d He appeared to then claim it was normal that Wellens dropped back later in the stage to save his legs. That would be the same Tim Wellens who crawled to the line two minutes inside the time cut and told us: \u201cIt is pretty clear there is some illness in the team.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;There are bodies everywhere&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar plays down wave of illness within UAE camp at Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bQgUx2k93XB6Qim9qrgBeG-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bQgUx2k93XB6Qim9qrgBeG-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">\u2018Everyone wants to be in UAE Team Emirates-XRG, you can decide how the race happens\u2019 \u2013 Tables turn at Tour de France as Wellens and McNulty become breakaway riders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">I can&#8217;t understand why UAE Team Emirates-XRG are riding so much, but Poga\u010dar is so good that he will correct any mistakes in the Alps &#8211; Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The mixed messages are bizarre, only adding to the sense that there\u2019s something amiss and something to hide. Is it really respiratory issues for Wellens and McNulty? Is the stomach bug more widespread? The contradictions erode trust, and they also echo through the peloton.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"pallor-and-possibilities-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Pallor and possibilities<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-6769589c-86f2-11f1-a57a-ad28f3cb4c20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">On the surface, it would seem that Poga\u010dar is healthy, but already there are whispers about his pallor and a suggestion on French national television that he wore black shorts as it would be easier to hide a, let\u2019s just say, stomach issue. Yes, this theory was not just confined to social media but seriously put forward by a former pro.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-D4a3sD6yeBb4nvtBiJJtAQ\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-D4a3sD6yeBb4nvtBiJJtAQ slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And so, we go into a final double-header of mountain stages with the race not quite as wrapped up as we thought it was.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Don\u2019t get me wrong, the only way Poga\u010dar loses this race is if he comes down with illness himself. Provided he stays relatively healthy, he can see this race through even if all his teammates go home. He has more than four minutes in hand and is so superior to his remaining rivals that he would surely be able to defend himself against anything thrown his way on the next two days.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In this light, Jonas Vingegaard\u2019s exit from the race on Sunday starts to feel like even more of a shame. If there was anyone capable of testing and exploiting that hint of weakness in the UAE Team Emirates camp it was the Dane and his Visma-Lease a Bike teammates.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;An injury is holding me back&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch injury compounds UAE Team Emirates-XRG woes at Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Crazy good&#8217; &#8211; UAE Team Emirates-XRG&#8217;s perfect mountain strategy puts Tadej Poga\u010dar within reach of fifth Tour de France title<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">The final week of the Tour de France will look completely different now that Vingegaard is out &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In his absence, you have a Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) who has already stated he\u2019s racing for second place and has lost the only teammate realistically capable of helping him in the mountains. You have Poga\u010dar\u2019s own teammate Isaac del Toro in third, and in fourth you have a 19-year-old, Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM), who is probably not looking beyond Del Toro\u2019s podium spot and white jersey.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e868cbee-86f7-11f1-a626-3de663b8db62\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fc5cQv3CbxewdkQERxwiGT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-67695900-86f2-11f1-977a-b1daead2c0a9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Although it\u2019s a long shot to envisage any sort of raids that truly threaten the yellow jersey, what we\u2019re likely to see on the next two mountain stages is more open racing, and that starts with the breakaways.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Stifled for much of this Tour by the collective might and will of UAE, George Bennett (NSN Cycling) said at the finish in Orci\u00e8res-Merlette that the escape artists would now \u201csmell blood\u201d.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A depleted UAE might struggle to control the breakaway as they have done in the past, which has two ramifications, the first being that they will have less of a grip on who exactly slips up the road, and the second that they will have less firepower to chase that break down to set up a stage win for Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Now, the 25-time stage winner with a four-minute lead doesn\u2019t need stage wins, but the talk is that he has his sights firmly set on an Alpe d\u2019Huez triumph to further cement his place in the legend of the Tour de France. That just became much harder to pull off.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The real Alpe d\u2019Huez comes on Friday on stage 19, but Saturday\u2019s monstrosity over the Croix de Fer, T\u00e9l\u00e9graphe, Galibier, and Sarenne is the truly pivotal stage from a general classification perspective. Any sign of weakness there will be punished in multiples, so while his teammates could continue to drop like flies, the threat of contagion hanging over Poga\u010dar himself does inject a degree of jeopardy and tension back into this Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Suddenly, thanks in no small part to the race leader&#8217;s own team, we have drama, we have intrigue, and we have a peloton that&#8217;s determined to throw down some moves through these two last dances in the Alps.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-67695964-86f2-11f1-9a32-2dd3b261c3f6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go!<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/sick-soldiers-and-mixed-messages-whats-really-going-on-at-uae-team-emirates-xrg-and-how-will-it-change-the-last-days-of-the-tour-de-france\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-2000-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Jonas Vingegaard abandoning the Tour de France doesn&#8217;t just make a fifth Tadej Poga\u010dar victory even more likely, it radically alters how we&#8217;ll perceive it \u2013 Analysis 2 As it happened: GC drama on the slopes of the Col du Haag during stage 14 of the Tour de France 3 &#8216;There [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2059474","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2059474","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2059474"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2059474\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2059474"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2059474"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2059474"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}