Vuelta a España: Decathlon CMA CGM Tactics Spark Debate After Pogačar Dominance
- Tadej Pogačar seized control of the Vuelta a España on Stage 4 with a dominant solo victory, but an unexpected pace-setting strategy by Decathlon CMA CGM sparked tactical...
- The first mountain stage of the Spanish grand tour unfolded on a route featuring the Port d’Envalira and the Collada de Beixalis.
- Léo Bisiaux (Cyclingnews) Bisiaux added that the team wanted to make the stage difficult to help Gall create gaps before the high mountains arrive.
Tadej Pogačar seized control of the Vuelta a España on Stage 4 with a dominant solo victory, but an unexpected pace-setting strategy by Decathlon CMA CGM sparked tactical debate within the peloton. According to Eurosport España, the French team’s decision to drive the pace on the opening climbs left rival riders surprised and questioning the wisdom of playing into UAE Team Emirates’ hands.
Decathlon CMA CGM Ignites Debate on Stage 4 Tactics
The first mountain stage of the Spanish grand tour unfolded on a route featuring the Port d’Envalira and the Collada de Beixalis. With 85 kilometers remaining, Decathlon CMA CGM took charge near the top of the opening climb, a move that surprised rival teams. The French squad’s objective was to position their leader, Felix Gall, as far ahead as possible and create gaps on terrain that does not traditionally suit his strengths. Léo Bisiaux explained to Cyclingnews that the team was focused on executing their own race.
Not really. It was to do our own race. I think he won with a decent gap. Looking for the red jersey is not the objective.
Léo Bisiaux (Cyclingnews) Bisiaux added that the team wanted to make the stage difficult to help Gall create gaps before the high mountains arrive. Gall ultimately finished in a chase group, securing third place on the stage and currently ranked seventh overall, while collecting bonus seconds.
Peloton Expresses Surprise Over Unrivaled Pace-Making
Despite Decathlon’s internal satisfaction, riders from opposing squads voiced confusion over the decision to push the pace so aggressively while UAE Team Emirates maintained overall control. Movistar rider Iván Romeo questioned the logic in post-stage comments to Eurosport España.
They made the race for them a bit. I don’t know if people at home understood it – some of us didn’t either, but there you go. Everyone has their own tactics, and that’s how it is.
Iván Romeo (Eurosport España) Romeo noted that the early speed dashed Movistar’s plans to place riders in the day’s breakaway. He emphasized that while the approach was not meant as harsh criticism, the sight of another team doing the heavy lifting against an already dominant squad caught the peloton off guard.
It’s not a bad criticism or anything. Simply that it’s a bit surprising, when there is such a superior team. I think it surprised us all. We were all commenting on it in the group. But hey, it’s their race.
Iván Romeo (Eurosport España) This is not the first time Decathlon CMA CGM has drawn scrutiny for interventions during grand tours this season. Similar tactics occurred during the final week of the Giro d’Italia and on the penultimate stage of the Tour de France, where Pogačar himself questioned their pace-making. As the Vuelta a España continues, rival teams hope the French outfit will alter its strategy and share the workload in the mountains ahead.