UAE boss hails Tadej Pogacar’s mentality after boos and 5am doping tests

The Slovenian holds an advantage of exactly five minutes over second placed Remco Evenepoel, with teammate Isaac Del Toro third overall at 5 minutes and 58 seconds. UAE have already won five stages, four through Pogačar and one through Del Toro. The Mexican also holds the white jersey as the best young rider, while Pogačar also leads both the mountains classification.

Speaking to MARCA on the final rest day, Matxin looked back on UAE’s Tour so far with satisfaction and praised Pogačar’s mentality as the Slovenian deals with the pressure of defending the yellow jersey, the demands created by his dominance, negative reactions from a minority of spectators and the physical impact of late night doping controls.

The withdrawal of Jonas Vingegaard has changed the dynamics of the race and strengthened Pogačar’s position, but UAE are refusing to treat the overall victory as a formality.

“In cycling, one corner can change your entire Tour,” Matxin told MARCA.

“We have to remain cautious and speak only about what we have achieved so far. There is still a very difficult week ahead."

Matxin confirmed that UAE will continue with the same plan that has guided the team throughout the race. 

The yellow jersey remains the main objective, even though the changing general classification could create opportunities for other riders, like Isaac Del Toro, within the team.

UAE’s dominance at this year’s Tour has brought even greater attention to Pogačar. While the overwhelming majority of spectators have shown their support, a small group has booed the Slovenian during the race, a reaction Matxin believes has received more attention than it deserves.

For Matxin, the reaction of the wider public offers a more accurate picture of Pogačar’s popularity.

“The main figure is Tadej Pogačar, not the five percent who boo him,” he said.

“The other ninety five percent love him. We have seen at the starts that people adore him. Sometimes there are 500 or 2,000 people waiting outside a hotel to take a picture with him.”

Matxin said criticism and hostility are unavoidable for leading figures in modern sport, especially for a rider who has become as dominant and visible as Pogačar.

However, he believes the team should invest its energy in those who offer support rather than the minority who react negatively.

“There are haters in every area of life,” he said.

“We should spend more time thanking the people who send messages of encouragement than focusing on the five percent who think differently.”

Life in the yellow jersey brings demands beyond the racing. Between podium duties, autographs, photographs and media commitments, Pogačar has little time to recover, yet Matxin believes he continues to handle the pressure with remarkable consistency.

“Tadej represents excellence as a cyclist,” Matxin said.

“In ninety nine percent of situations, he does everything perfectly. On the bike, away from the bike and in the way he answers questions.”

Matxin was particularly impressed by Pogačar’s response to Vingegaard’s withdrawal.

Rather than focusing on the impact it had on his own chances of winning, Pogačar expressed sympathy for his rival and said that his presence would be missed.

For Matxin, those comments showed maturity and respect at a moment when Pogačar could easily have allowed the conversation to focus on himself.

“You may like Pogačar or you may not, but you can only take your hat off to him after comments like that,” he said.

Matxin believes Pogačar’s strongest leadership qualities are often visible within the team rather than in public. He explained that many of the requests made by the race leader are designed to benefit his teammates or the wider group.

“He understands how much his teammates sacrifice,” Matxin said.

“That character as a leader is what makes me most proud.”

Matxin also addressed the widely discussed overnight doping tests involving Pogačar and Vingegaard. He stressed that UAE respect the regulations and will comply with all testing procedures required under French law and the rules governing the Tour.

His criticism focused on the timing of the tests rather than the need for testing itself.

Matxin argued that waking a rider during the night can interrupt essential sleep during one of the most physically demanding sporting events in the world. “Is it fair? No,” he said. 

“If someone calls you at two in the morning and interrupts the hours of sleep you need, it is not pleasant for anyone.”

The UAE manager acknowledged that his personal opinion does not take priority over the rules.

“If French law says it is permitted, we have to follow the rules,” he said. “If it is officially established, they are allowed to do it.”