UAE Team Emirates-XRG expect a Tourmalet showdown on stage 6 of the Tour de France, with Jonas Vingegaard tipped to attack first in the Pyrenees.
Team general manager Matxín Joxean Fernández believes Visma | Lease a Bike will try to put pressure on Tadej Pogačar’s squad when the race reaches its first major mountain test.
After five stages, Pogačar and Vingegaard remain locked together on time in the general classification. Both have already worn the yellow jersey during the opening week.
Pogačar sits fourth overall and Vingegaard fifth, with both 7:53 behind race leader Torstein Træen of Uno-X Mobility.
Tourmalet showdown puts UAE on alert
Stage 6 covers 186.2km and includes more than 4,000 metres of elevation gain. The Col d’Aspin and Col du Tourmalet both arrive in the second half of the route.
The Tourmalet comes before a more gradual uphill finish to Gavarnie-Gèdre. Riders will crest the famous climb with 38km still to race.
Matxín expects the Tourmalet to define the day. He told In De Leiderstrui that he anticipates Vingegaard attacking there to reduce the lead group, calling it a “crucial climb.”
That prediction places the initiative with Visma rather than UAE. Matxín said UAE can initially let Pogačar follow the move instead of launching their own early offensive.
The climb has recent Grand Tour history for both contenders. The last men’s Grand Tour stage finish on the Tourmalet came at the 2023 Vuelta a España.
Vingegaard won that day as Jumbo-Visma swept the podium. Sepp Kuss finished second and Primož Roglič took third.
The Tourmalet also featured in stage 14 of last year’s Tour de France. Pogačar gained four seconds on Vingegaard that day, while Thymen Arensman won the stage with a near 40km solo effort.
Pogačar’s instincts could alter the plan
UAE’s approach will still depend on how the stage unfolds before the Tourmalet. Matxín said the opening phase should bring a fight for the breakaway.
If dangerous GC contenders enter the move, UAE may need to decide whether to control the race. That could change how much work the team does before the key climbs.
Matxín stressed that UAE have a plan for every stage, but not a rigid one. He said the team’s tactics can change once the road and race situation demand it.
Pogačar’s own feelings may prove just as important. If the world champion signals during the stage that he feels strong, UAE could shift from defence to attack.
Matxín said whether Pogačar attacks can depend on the moment and on the rider’s instincts.
That leaves stage 6 as an early test of nerve between the Tour’s two main rivals. UAE appear ready to answer Vingegaard rather than make the first move.
With the Aspin, the Tourmalet and the uphill run to Gavarnie-Gèdre all packed into one stage, Thursday could reshape the yellow jersey fight long before Paris.