UAE expects Vingegaard attack on Tourmalet in Pyrenean showdown

After the opening five stages, both Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) have already worn the yellow jersey and sit level on time in the GC in fourth and fifth, 7:53 behind race leader Torstein Træen (Uno-X Mobility). 

With over 4,000 metres of elevation gain packed into 186.2km, stage 6 raises the stakes with both the Col d’Aspin and Col du Tourmalet featuring in the second half of the stage before a more gradual uphill finish to Gavarnie-Gèdre.

For Matxín, the outcome of the stage will likely hinge on what happens on the slopes of the Tourmalet, which will be crested with 38km remaining. The UAE General Manager expects Vingegaard and Visma to try and put pressure on the Emirati team.

“I think we’ll see an attack from Jonas Vingegaard there to whittle down the group. It’s going to be a crucial climb,” Matxín told In De Leiderstrui.

The last men's Grand Tour stage finish on the Tourmalet was at the Vuelta a España in 2023, where Vingegaard claimed victory in a Jumbo-Visma clean sweep ahead of Sepp Kuss and Primož Roglič. 

The mythical climb also featured during stage 14 of the Tour last July, where Pogačar gained four seconds on Vingegaard, as Thymen Arensman claimed the stage victory with a near 40km solo effort.

Rather than launching Pogačar into an early offensive, Matxín believes UAE and the World Champion can afford to let their main rival make the first move and respond accordingly.

“In principle, we can simply have our leader, Pogačar, follow the move,” Matxín explained.

However, Matxín stressed that UAE’s approach will depend on how the race develops before the decisive climb and ultimately what happens on the road will decide how the team plays their hand.

“We have a plan every day, but it’s true that the plan isn't set in stone,” Matxín said. “The opening phase will be a battle to get into the breakaway, and we’ll see if any dangerous GC contenders are involved. Depending on that, we’ll have to decide whether or not to set the pace.”

Matxín also admitted that Pogačar’s feelings during the stage could ultimately determine UAE’s tactics and the day's outcome.

“If things go differently and Tadej signals halfway through that he’s feeling good, everything could change,” he said.

“We have a plan for stage 6, just as we do for the other stages. But whether or not Tadej attacks sometimes depends on the moment and his own instincts.”

Regardless of who makes the first attack, Thursday is set to be an important battleground in the fight for the yellow jersey, and could prove to be a defining day come Paris.