Concerns regarding the fitness of the UAE Team have surfaced ahead of the cycling stages scheduled for Friday or Saturday, which will take place near the Alpine winter sports center of Alpe d’Huez. These potential issues could prove critical, particularly if the race requires controlling dangerous breakaway attempts or if the terrain necessitates careful preparation for the stage victory. The overall race leader, Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogačar, remains in a commanding position in the standings.
However, his support structure has been diminished, notably without the presence of Brandon McNulty. Speaking to 24UR, Pogačar acknowledged the setback, stating, “Unfortunately, we lost Brandon, which is a big minus. I myself have driven well for another day, so we go forward.”
Pogačar also addressed the recent difficulties faced by other key riders in the peloton.
Regarding fellow competitor Adam Yates, who has also experienced setbacks in recent days, Pogačar admitted, “I have been suffering a lot in the last few days as well.”
The focus remains on how the team manages these variables—potential rider fatigue and reduced support—as the race progresses through the challenging Alpine terrain. While Pogačar remains the primary contender, the team’s ability to mitigate the impact of losing a key support rider like Brandon will be crucial in maintaining momentum and securing the overall lead. The current situation represents a big challenge, making the loss of support a significant minus to the team’s immediate strategy.
Topics: #brandon #big #minus
