UAE’s Vuelta unravels further as Sivakov exit leaves team with just four riders

Pavel Sivakov became the latest UAE rider to leave the race during stage 13 on Friday, following the earlier exits of Tadej Pogačar, Pablo Torres and Jay Vine. João Almeida, Domen Novak, Ivo Oliveira and Kevin Vermaerke are now the only UAE riders still racing in Spain.

It is a remarkable reversal for a team that appeared to have the race under control during the opening week.

Pogačar had won three stages and was comfortably leading the general classification before his Vuelta ended abruptly on stage 8. The Slovenian crashed heavily with around 32 kilometres remaining and was unable to continue. Medical examinations later revealed a concussion, a displaced fracture of his left collarbone and a stable fracture of the C7 vertebra, as well as multiple abrasions.

His collarbone was subsequently operated on successfully in Barcelona.

Pogačar’s withdrawal forced UAE to completely rethink its Vuelta.

With the general classification no longer the priority, the remaining riders were given licence to chase stages. Jay Vine summed up the new approach before stage 10.

“Our objective is breakaway stages,” the Australian told Cyclingnews.

At that point, there were reasons to believe UAE could still salvage a major result from the race. Sivakov had come particularly close on stage 9, spending much of the day in the break before attacking alone on the Alto de Aitana. He was eventually caught around 4.5 kilometres from the summit, but his aggressive ride earned him the combativity prize.

“We’ll keep trying with all of the team,” Sivakov said afterwards.

That team has since become considerably smaller.

Vine abandoned during Thursday’s mountainous stage to Calar Alto after struggling with his health. UAE said through its official channels that the Australian had been feeling unwell for several days. His withdrawal also raises questions over his preparation for the World Championships in Canada later this month, where the time trial is among his major remaining objectives.

Vine’s exit came only days after Pablo Torres had already left the race on stage 9. The young Spaniard started stage 9 despite dealing with pain in his leg, an issue that had already surfaced the previous day. Torres attempted to continue but was forced to abandon around 40 kilometres into the stage.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, the problem affected the opposite leg to the knee on which Torres had previously undergone surgery.

His withdrawal was particularly disappointing given the importance of the Vuelta to his development. The 20-year-old had entered the race as one of UAE’s most highly rated young riders, but his Grand Tour ended before the race had even reached its second rest day.

Sivakov became UAE’s fourth withdrawal during stage 13 on Friday. The Frenchman had endured a difficult day on the road to Calar Alto 24 hours earlier, but still took the start in Almuñécar before abandoning during the stage.

At the time of publication, UAE had not provided a detailed medical explanation for his withdrawal.