‘No need to obsess over one or two kilos’ - UAE boss dismisses Pogacar weight concerns ahead of Tour

Pogačar admitted during the Tour de Romandie that he was carrying a few extra kilos following his spring campaign. With climbing performance so closely linked to weight, the comment prompted questions about his condition ahead of his attempt to win a fifth Tour title.

Matxin, however, insists that the numbers require context.

“There is no need to obsess over one or two kilos with a cyclist who has his characteristics,” he told MARCA. “When people say a rider weighs two kilos more, you have to analyse what those kilos actually represent. It is not always excess weight. It could be additional muscle mass or other factors that influence performance.”

The UAE manager added that carrying more muscle may even have benefited Pogačar during the Classics, where the Slovenian once again combined his Grand Tour ambitions with an extensive one-day racing programme.

“From the perspective of the Classics, it does not necessarily have to be negative,” Matxin said. “Tadej and Gorka, the nutritionist, monitor and plan these things very precisely. They know what is best at every point in the season. Obviously, the goal is to arrive at the Tour at his optimal weight.”

Pogačar has followed a familiar preparation programme since the Tour de Romandie. After completing reconnaissance rides on two Tour stages, he spent ten days at home in Monaco before beginning a three-week altitude camp in Sierra Nevada.

He then returned home for a week before inspecting two further stages in the Alps. His final racing block will include the Tour de Suisse before he travels to Barcelona for the Tour start.

While that programme is designed to bring Pogačar to the race in peak physical condition, Matxin believes the most significant change since last year cannot be measured in watts, weight or training data. For the UAE manager, Pogačar’s continued development is most visible in the way he leads the people around him.

“What impresses me most about Tadej is that he is not just a champion. He is a leader,” Matxin said. “A leader cares about his teammates, is willing to help them and sets an example through his actions every day.”

“He is the first to ask about the wellbeing of the group, including the staff. Those are the qualities that distinguish real leaders, beyond sporting results.”

“You cannot train or buy that. There is no formula for acquiring leadership. You either have it or you do not, and I believe Tadej has it naturally.”

UAE will start the Tour with Pogačar as its undisputed leader, despite Isaac del Toro’s impressive victory at the recent Critérium du Dauphiné.

The Mexican will make his Tour debut without being expected to challenge for the general classification. Matxin described the race as an opportunity for Del Toro to learn without carrying the pressure that comes with leadership.

“This is an ideal way for Isaac to experience the Tour without having to assume responsibilities he has not yet had the opportunity to face at this level,” he said.

“The focus and guiding light of the team is Tadej Pogačar. He is currently the best cyclist in the world. He races with complete confidence and is surrounded by the best possible team.”

UAE expect Visma Lease a Bike and Jonas Vingegaard to provide their main opposition. Vingegaard enters the Tour after racing and winning the Giro d’Italia, creating questions about whether the demands of two Grand Tours could affect him during the decisive final week of La Grande Boucle.

Matxin believes the psychological impact of two Grand Tours may be more significant than the number of race days.

“Riding the Giro and the Tour involves much more than counting competition days,” he said. “If you complete an altitude camp for the Giro and then another for the Tour, it is psychologically demanding. Spending so much time away from home is difficult for any cyclist.”

Whatever effect the Giro may have on Vingegaard, Matxin expects Visma to race with the same aggression that defined their tactics at the 2025 Tour.

“I like it when rivals believe in their abilities,” he said. “Visma will be a very important opponent, and Jonas Vingegaard will be a very important rival.”

UAE may begin as favourites, but Matxin is taking little for granted.

“Four of the last six Tours have gone Tadej’s way, while two have been won by Jonas,” he said. “That shows how closely matched they are and how important every detail can be in a race of this level.”