Pogacar Dominates UAE Tour, Securing Back-to-Back Victories
Slovenian cycling sensation Tadej Pogacar delivered a commanding performance at teh UAE Tour, culminating in a stage victory on Saturday and a accomplished defense of his overall title.
Pogacar’s dominance was on full display during the final stage’s grueling climb to Jebel Afeet. he decisively outpaced British rider Adam Yates (Ineos grenadiers) in the closing stretch, mirroring the final general classification standings. Spaniard Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) rounded out the podium for the stage.
This victory marks Pogacar’s second consecutive UAE Tour triumph, further solidifying his status as a cycling powerhouse. Notably, Yates, who clinched the event in 2020, once again secured the runner-up position, highlighting Pogacar’s consistent superiority.
Returning to competition on the home turf of his sponsor, UAE Team Emirates, Pogacar exceeded expectations despite battling a recent Covid infection. He showcased his extraordinary form throughout the event, starting with a strong fourth-place finish in the time trial and then securing a stage win on the fourth day.
Pogacar’s teammate, Portuguese rider Joao Almeida, narrowly missed the podium, finishing just behind Bilbao. Almeida is expected to lead the charge for UAE Team Emirates at the upcoming Giro d’Italia,while Pogacar sets his sights on an ambitious Tour de France-Giro d’Italia double,a feat last achieved by Chris Froome in 2017.
Bardet Shows Promise in Season Debut
French cyclist Romain Bardet made a promising start to his season at the UAE Tour. The DSM rider was a visible presence in the final stages, ultimately securing 12th place and a top-10 overall finish (9th). Fellow Frenchman Geoffrey Bouchard (AG2R-Citroën Team) also impressed, finishing 9th in the stage and 8th overall.
“Pogacar is Untouchable”: Veteran Cyclist Sean Kelly Weighs in on UAE Tour Dominance
Welcome back, cycling fans, to another exciting edition of “Inside the Peloton”! Today, we’re joined by a true legend of the sport, former professional cyclist and renowned commentator, Sean Kelly, to dissect the recent action at the UAE Tour. Sean, thanks for joining us!
Sean Kelly: It’s always a pleasure to be here, discussing the sport I love.
Moderator: Let’s dive right in. Tadej Pogacar’s performance was nothing short of breathtaking. A second consecutive UAE Tour title, a commanding stage win on jebel Hafeet, and this after recovering from a Covid infection. How impressed were you by his display?
Sean Kelly: To be honest, I’m not surprised. Pogacar is a generational talent,one of the most naturally gifted cyclists I’ve seen in my lifetime. He seems to effortlessly glide up climbs, and his tactical acumen is remarkable. Even battling back from Covid, his form was extraordinary. He simply dominated this race.
Moderator: Indeed! Adam Yates again playing second fiddle to Pogacar, echoing his result from 2020. Do you think Yates can ever truly challenge Pogacar on his current form?
Sean Kelly: That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Yates is a world-class climber, no doubt about it. But Pogacar is simply on another level right now. He’s so strong, so confident, and seemingly always a step ahead. Yates will need to find something extra if he wants to overcome Pogacar in a major stage race.
Moderator: We also saw some promising performances from other riders. Romain Bardet, making his season debut, showed glimpses of his old form with a top 10 finish. What are your thoughts on his prospects for the rest of the season?
Sean Kelly: It’s encouraging to see Bardet back and competitive. He’s had a tough couple of years, but he seems to be rediscovering his mojo. A top 10 at the UAE Tour is a good platform to build on. If he can stay healthy and consistent, he could be a threat in some of the Classics and stage races later this year.
Moderator: And what about Pogacar’s ambitions? He’s targeting the unprecedented Tour de France-Giro d’Italia double. Do you think it’s achievable?
Sean Kelly: It’s a massive challenge, no doubt. It’s been a long time since a rider has achieved that feat. Pogacar has the talent and the determination, but it will be incredibly demanding both physically and mentally. He’ll need a superb support team and a bit of luck to pull it off.
Moderator: with the possibility of both Pogacar and Almeida targeting grand tours, what are your predictions for UAE Team Emirates’s dominance this season?
Sean Kelly: UAE Team Emirates is undoubtedly the team to beat this year. They have Pogacar leading the charge, and Almeida is a formidable talent who can win major races. Thier depth and resources are impressive.
Moderator: Thank you so much for sharing your insights, Sean. A engaging discussion,as always. What are your thoughts on the performance of the riders, folks? Let us know in the comments below.
