I guess they are the kind of people that think internal competition is the only way to keep your people at their best.
Well if that is UAE’s strategy it doesn’t make any logical sense. UAE have had their backsides handed to them by Visma two successive years at the Tour. The reason for that was Visma had a super strong leader and a team all working for that leader when it counted. So Vingegaard could deliver when it really mattered.
Pogacar is trying to do what nobody hasn’t achieved in 26 years. Ayuso has shown nothing to suggest he can’t wait at his young age.
The closest similarity to Alison is can think of is Andy Schleck. Andy came 2nd at the Giro when he was only 22. But Andy didn’t get greedy with ambition, he knew his time would come. Otherwise I doubt Carlos Sastre would have won the 2008 Tour.
And I don’t think anyone can question Pogacar’s motivation. He doesn’t need competition from within his own team he has plenty at Visma.