Tour de France Tour de France Stage 6, Mâcon-Dijon, 162.5k

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I don't think it will matter because of Pogacar's form relative to the rest, but you really want to eliminate as many variables and gain the maximum amount possible against an opponent like Vingegaard. Knocking it off on stage 1 because Ayuso wasn't too good, the farce on Galibier where he could've gained far more with a more committed team, and the struggles today might come back to bite them at some point. A disjointed team with multiple ambitions might not matter as much with someone of Pogacar's talents, but if Vingegaard rides himself into form then those lost seconds and wasted energy could come back to bite UAE at some point. Pogacar having to look after himself and use energy on a nondescript flat stage is not something you want.
 
I don't think it will matter because of Pogacar's form relative to the rest, but you really want to eliminate as many variables and gain the maximum amount possible against an opponent like Vingegaard. Knocking it off on stage 1 because Ayuso wasn't too good, the farce on Galibier where he could've gained far more with a more committed team, and the struggles today might come back to bite them at some point. A disjointed team with multiple ambitions might not matter as much with someone of Pogacar's talents, but if Vingegaard rides himself into form then those lost seconds and wasted energy could come back to bite UAE at some point. Pogacar having to look after himself and use energy on a nondescript flat stage is not something you want.
That's the thing: multiple ambitions. Each rider must be absolutely committed to Tadej.
 
I was talking about flat and rolling stages... [[content deleted]]
Interesting bit of game theory. There are only so many spots in a Tour team. Do you take an extra rouleur or two or just load up for the mountains where the biggest differences are made.

That said, as much as people are clowning on Ayuso and Almeida, where were Wellens and Politt? They should have been up front with Pogi, and are more than enough for a situation like we saw in a stage like this.

ETA: ... and with a team like Visma brought, they almost have to press their advantage on stages like this because so few of their riders have anything to offer when the race goes uphill.
 
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