Pogacar and UAE face air-conditioning problem during Tour de France rest day

Tadej Pogačar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG have become the latest squad to be struck by failed air-conditioning at the Tour de France during the first rest day.

According to Spanish journalist Sergi López-Egea, the hotel where the Emirati team are staying in the Massif Central is experiencing power issues, with the supply cutting out when guests attempt to switch on the air conditioning units.

The issue has reportedly affected UAE’s portable air conditioning systems, which teams use as backup when the hotel facilities are not sufficient. 

Despite the setback, the situation is not unusual during the Tour. Teams do not choose their accommodation freely, with race organisers ASO responsible for assigning hotels to squads throughout the race.

Air conditioning has become an increasingly important factor during this year’s Tour, with riders facing repeated periods of extreme heat and with stage 9 being shortened by 30km due to a heatwave red alert.

The issue comes after Visma | Lease a Bike also experienced an air-conditioning problem of their own during the opening week. 

The Dutch team’s bus air conditioning system failed ahead of stage 4, with sports director Marc Reef confirming that stage preparations instead took place at the team’s hotel, which was fortunately located relatively close to the start.

For UAE, the priority remains recovery ahead of the second week of the Tour. Pogačar is in a commanding position in his bid to win a fifth Tour title, currently leading Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) by 2:42, while Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) sits third in the standings at 3:27.