UAE-Team Emirates thread

[noob]

So if we exclude PN and if del Toro wouldn't ride the way he did and considering Ayuso finished second at Catalunya. UAE really wanted to win all stage races prior to the Tour, on top of classics?

Now that is not just cocky that indeed is arrogant.

Exactly! They sent Almeida to clean up races where the competition were low. The same way they used Hirshi to clean up smaller races in the past.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Exactly! They sent Almeida to clean up races where the competition were low. The same way they used Hirshi to clean up smaller races in the past.

Still, not sure if Almeida of previous years would be able to pull it off.

 

[Pozzovivo]

Exactly! They sent Almeida to clean up races where the competition were low. The same way they used Hirshi to clean up smaller races in the past.

When they planned his schedule in december, they didn't know who would be on the startlist. Almeida has been very impressive. Romadie is typically a bit weaker but still, Itzulia and swiss are big wins for any rider.

 

[KZD]

55 wins already in 2025. Last year they had 48 wins before the Tour.

If Pogacar remains healthy until the end of the season, they will break the record.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Are they becoming too successful for their own good? This can't possibly work on the long run.

 

[Miss Violet Smith]

What fresh hell is this?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1942212357876338875

View: https://x.com/TeamEmiratesUAE/status/1942212357876338875?t=-hAyuhZBIyQi8IIuR41iVg&s=19

 

[Offline]

My ratings for UAE

Tadej Pogačar – 9/10
Best rider in the world. He looked more fatigued in the third week compared to last year, likely due to the crash, which clearly cost him and his recovery. Still, a fantastic performance overall: wins the Tour and four stages. He's now racing smarter, not just relying on being the strongest. The only thing missing was the one jaw-dropping ride like we saw last year at Plateau de Beille, which keeps him from getting a perfect 10.

Tim Wellens – 10/10
Incredible. Always there for Pogačar, and now climbing at a very high level. The road captain and Pogacar’s most important helper. And top it with a wins a stage. Just brilliant.

Jhonatan Narváez – 9/10
Signing of the year. Absolutely outstanding, super impressed. That lead-out sprint on Hautacam was one of my highlights for this tour. Wow

Nils Politt – 8/10
Solid, solid, solid. Not much more to say. Loyal, powerful, and climbing better than you'd expect given his size.

Adam Yates – 4/10
Below average. Sending him to the Giro was a mistake, it clearly affected his form here. He was really only good for one day. I almost gave him a 3, but that felt a bit harsh.

Marc Soler – 3/10
Not good enough. Should be replaced next year.

Pavel Sivakov – 1/10
A huge disappointment. He’s been a liability. Definitely needs to be replaced next year. Yes, he was sick, but so was he last year. Like Hirschi, he only shows form in the autumn. What’s the point of bringing him to the Tour?

João Almeida – ??/10
Hard to rate. He looked tired very early in the race. I think his season was just too packed, six one-week races before the Tour is too much.

DS – 7/10
This was the best tactical Tour UAE has had so far. That said, I think Wellens played a big part as road captain, and Pogačar is simply getting smarter with age.

For next year:
Del Toro should absolutely be on the team.
Maybe also Bjerg, McNulty, or Vine especially considering the TTT.
Sivakov and Soler out.

 

[Salvarani]

Soler been good.

He is not for the final climbs but does a great job in the beginning of stages and in the valleys. Coming back on the descents, especially during the last stages where there were early attacks.

I think his work gets underrated here and he finished 29-25 in all of the last four mountain stages. He was there to support and did a good job. End of second week and this last week he has even been very good.

He deserves a similar rating as Politt or like a 7 out of 10 imo.

Yates turned up on the most important stage so for that 4/5-10 seems reasonable.

Sivakov was sick or just running out of energy in these last few stages. He has been around though. One is harsh. I would give at least 3/10.

It is been a hard Tour. Not everyone will be amazing and I think Pog has also always had someone crashing out or having to abandon. Thats cycling.

 

[SHAD0W93]

My ratings for UAE
João Almeida – ??/10
Hard to rate. He looked tired very early in the race. I think his season was just too packed, six one-week races before the Tour is too much.

I’d give Almeida a seven, he was a big help in 2 of Pogacar’s stage wins but the crazy racing was definitely wearing him down. Disappointing we couldn’t see him finish the race.

 

[Offline]

Soler been good.

He is not for the final climbs but does a great job in the beginning of stages and in the valleys. Coming back on the descents, especially during the last stages where there were early attacks.

I think his work gets underrated here and he finished 29-25 in all of the last four mountain stages. He was there to support and did a good job. End of second week and this last week he has even been very good.

I do see your point, But I expected more form him tbh. He just a flaky rider.. Not reliable as Politt and Wellens.

Yates turned up on the most important stage so for that 4/5-10 seems reasonable.

Yates turned up at Loze after being dropped. That's all I recall he have done.. He costed the stage wins at La Plagne. I can't give him more when he only was good 1 day.

Sivakov was sick or just running out of energy in these last few stages. He has been around though. One is harsh. I would give at least 3/10.

Sivakov showed nothing all tour. I can't give him more. Btw he was sick last year too.

I’d give Almeida a seven, he was a big help in 2 of Pogacar’s stage wins but the crazy racing was definitely wearing him down. Disappointing we couldn’t see him finish the race.

that's true.. Just feel is hard to rate him because he didn't have a chance to show his level on the stages he should have been good in. But yeah race program way way too much

 

[Salvarani]

I do see your point, But I expected more form him tbh. He just a flaky rider.. Not reliable as Politt and Wellens.

Yates turned up at Loze after being dropped. That's all I recall he have done.. He costed the stage wins at La Plagne. I can't give him more when he only was good 1 day.

Sivakov showed nothing all tour. I can't give him more. Btw he was sick last year too.

No, problem.

I really only disagree with your take on Soler here.

Maybe I value that Yates but in a great performance on the Queen stage a bit higher, where he was the most needed. Despite not being in the best shape or form. I would give him a pat on the back for that, so 4 or 5 seems reasonable.

Cant disagree on Sivakov, even though I think I remember him being there on some of these stages. He was just very empty on some as well. I feel like that may be dragging him down a bit too much here. I cut him some slack even though I cant give him a higher score than maybe 2-3, for me either. Think 1 is a bit harsh since it would be close to being useless. I dont think he was.

Anyway, they have held it together very good imo. Especially when they lost Almeida before all the mountains and the stages has been ridden very hard.

 

[Mayomaniac]

With Yates the writing was on the wall when he didn't improve during the Giro like expected (at least my expectation was that he'd be one of the strongest climbers in the 3rd week as a superdom), after having a lighter schedule before that because Giro-Tour.

 

[skippo12]

Main problem with Soler and Politt is that they cannot descend to save their life and that forced UAE to wait for Sivakov. As far as breakaway formation and climbing goes both delivered.

 

[Monsi]

For next year's Tour, I would keep Pogi, Almeida, Wellens, Narvaez, and Politt. Replace Yates and Sivakov with Del Toro and Majka. Soler is sort of a question mark. I guess if he'll be replaced, then maybe go with like Vine or McNulty (Despite the Giro this year, McNulty has proven he can work for Pogi before).

 

[Salvarani]

For next year's Tour, I would keep Pogi, Almeida, Wellens, Narvaez, and Politt. Replace Yates and Sivakov with Del Toro and Majka. Soler is sort of a question mark. I guess if he'll be replaced, then maybe go with like Vine or McNulty (Despite the Giro this year, McNulty has proven he can work for Pogi before).

Majka wont ride the Tour again.

Soler should be going. He is all-around and climbs well. It saves the legs for others, for later.

I could see someone like Arrieta over Sivakov being a good replacement in the future. He is developing nicely. Climbs well and pretty all-round. Team player.

I can see Morgado in the future as well.

But the key of the Tour team will always be experience and riders with a few seasons under their belt. They wont be quick to send a lot of these younger guys there too soon, even if they are showing good results.

Thats why guys like Sivakov and Soler might still get the spot. They are, for the most part, solid and do their job well.

Younger riders can be more inconsistent and dont really have experience of some of these battles yet. They need to ride a few Giros and Vueltas first. Build up endurance and experience to be ready.

 

[Monsi]

Majka wont ride the Tour again.

Why would that be the case? Majka was pretty much the best mountain domestique amongst all teams in the Giro this year. He and Pogi also work very well together.

I could see someone like Arrieta over Sivakov being a good replacement in the future. He is developing nicely. Climbs well and pretty all-round. Team player.

Forgot about Arrieta. Yeah he was also really impressive in the Giro.

 

[Salvarani]

Why would that be the case? Majka was pretty much the best mountain domestique amongst all teams in the Giro this year. He and Pogi also work very well together.

Mostly age and that he hasnt ridden it now for two seasons in a row.

I think he has been replaced by Yates, Almeida and recently Narvaez in the last editions.

And they need guys like Wellens, Politt, Sivakov and Soler for the dirty work. Control breaks and ride in the valleys. Thats not suitable for Majka.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Next year, Sivakov will have to improve.
For me, McNulty would be the best replacement but he is not a team player.
Del Toro and another great climber are a must next year.

 

[Monsi]

Mostly age and that he hasnt ridden it now for two seasons in a row.

Don't think that should stop him being included in the Tour squad in the future. He's only 1 year older than Wellens. If Majka is in really good form, he's the perfect mountain domestique for Pog.

 

[Salvarani]

Don't think that should stop him being included in the Tour squad in the future. He's only 1 year older than Wellens. If Majka is in really good form, he's the perfect mountain domestique for Pog.

Well, we have to disagree. And he is two years older and I dont think he could handle the pace of the Tour anymore. Thats why he hasnt been picked in the last two years.

They are also completely different type of riders, so it is a bad comparison. Like I wrote about.

And as I said, Majka has more been replaced by Yates, Almeida and recently Narvaez.

 

[Monsi]

Well, we have to disagree. And he is two years older and I dont think he could handle the pace of the Tour anymore. Thats why he hasnt been picked in the last two years.

They are also completely different type of riders, so it is a bad comparison. Like I wrote about.

And as I said, Majka has more been replaced by Yates, Almeida and recently Narvaez.

If Yates doesn't improve, I would happily take Majka over Yates.

 

[Salvarani]

Next year, Sivakov will have to improve.
For me, McNulty would be the best replacement but he is not a team player.
Del Toro and another great climber are a must next year.

Pog doesnt need more than Almeida/Del Toro, Yates and Narvaez.

Like you cant overstate how much of a loss Almeida really was. The team done great considering it.

You dont need really more "mountain support" than that.

Especially since guys like Wellens, Soler and Sivakov normally climbs good as well. Unless bad form/sickness.

Politt have gotten over climbs on a number of stages.

 

[Salvarani]

If Yates doesn't improve, I would happily take Majka over Yates.

Probably wont happen, but it is all good.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Pog doesnt need more than Almeida/Del Toro, Yates and Narvaez.

Like you cant overstate how much of a loss Almeida really was. The team done great considering it.

You dont need more mountain support.

Especially since guys like Wellens, Soler and Sivakov normally climbs good as well. Unless bad form/sickness.

Politt have gotten over climbs on a number of stages.

Pogacar was still exposed in the mountains.

 

[Salvarani]

Pogacar was still exposed in the mountains.

Everyone was and still not considering Almeida crashed out.

They are just not gonna send a team with all of Almeida, Del Toro, Yates and Narvaez. It will never happen.

And it would expose him far more on other stages. It would be bad.

The hybrid riders are more important.