Armchair cycling manager- If I ran UAE, I'd fly to Holland and meet up with Mathieu van der Poel. I'd appeal to his ego and his rivalry with Van Art. Say "you're the only one who can stop Wout" and then I'd offer him and his team a boatload of cash to approve the transfer.
Back on Planet Earth, I am just shocked UAE isn't doing more. I feel like if UAE was Ineos and they had a generational talent who just lost to a vastly superior team, they'd sign everyone under the sun. I know UAE needs a punchy rider but heck, sign Carapaz. If EF can afford them, surely UAE can as well, even just as a super domestique. I am just shocked I don't see UAE attached to everyone. Jumbo actually seems more active on the market if the rumors are to be believed which makes the who thing even more shocking.
Who knows, maybe in a few weeks we'll all be reading about all the UAE signings but right now it seems like they're just writing the loss off on bad luck which seems like a massive misreading of the race.