UAE 2025 Grand Tour Sweep: A Missed Opportunity?
Summary of the Article: UAE Team Tactics at the Vuelta a España
This article analyzes the performance of UAE Team Emirates at the 2023 Vuelta a España, where João Almeida finished second just over a minute behind winner Jonas Vingegaard. While the team achieved significant success with seven stage wins and othre classifications,the article argues that thier tactics ultimately hindered AlmeidaS chances of winning the general classification (GC).
Key Points:
* Almeida’s Strong Performance: almeida rode a strong race,finishing very close to Vingegaard,even closer than Pogačar has come to Vingegaard in previous grand tours.
* Stage Hunting vs. GC Focus: UAE Team emirates prioritized stage wins, with riders like Jay Vine, Juan Ayuso, and Marc Soler each taking victories. This focus, however, diverted resources away from supporting Almeida’s GC bid.
* Horner’s Criticism: Former pro rider Phil Horner believes the team made a mistake by including Ayuso, who is leaving the team in 2026, as it created internal competition and prevented a unified effort behind Almeida. He suggests that with a fully committed team, Almeida could have challenged Vingegaard.
* Almeida’s Exposure: The pursuit of stage wins allegedly fatigued teammates, leaving Almeida with less support during crucial mountain stages.
* External Factors: The shortened individual time trial due to protests and Almeida’s late-race illness also played a role in the final outcome.
* Vingegaard’s Consistency: Ultimately, vingegaard was the moast consistent rider over the three weeks, securing the overall victory.
In essence, the article suggests that while UAE Team emirates had a triumphant Vuelta, it could have been even more so if they had fully committed to supporting Almeida’s GC ambitions rather of spreading their efforts across stage wins.