Paula Blasi has become a major talking point at the Tour de France Femmes, but UAE Team L’IMAD is not changing its leadership plan yet.
The 23-year-old Spaniard entered the race after a remarkable run in stage races. She won the Vuelta a España Femenina in May, beating Anna van der Breggen. She has also won her last three stage races.
That form has raised expectations around Blasi, who is wearing the white jersey as best young rider. Yet the team remains committed to Elisa Longo Borghini and Dominika Włodarczyk as co-leaders.
After stage two, Longo Borghini sat sixth overall. She was six places and eight seconds ahead of Blasi. Lorena Wiebes led the race, with Longo Borghini 10 seconds down and Blasi 18 seconds back.
Paula Blasi stays behind UAE co-leaders
Sports director Cherie Pridham said the team’s approach has not changed since the start of the year. UAE planned to support Longo Borghini and Włodarczyk, and that remains the structure.
Pridham said Blasi arrived with expectations and obvious strength. She also said the Spanish rider is at the Tour to learn.
“From the beginning of the year, our strategy was always to support Dommy and Elisa,” Pridham said.
Blasi had already acknowledged before the race that she expected to ride largely for experience. Speaking to the In De Waaier podcast, she said the team had told her she would not target the time trial or stage wins.
She also said riders must show they can work for others before others work for them. Blasi admitted that hearing she was outside the leadership plan was difficult.
After stage two in Geneva, Blasi said she accepted the team’s decision. She described the plan as clear and said she believed in the tactics.
“It’s not an individual sport,” she said, while adding that the team would continue day by day.
White jersey raises attention around Blasi
Blasi’s position has drawn interest beyond the team bus. Spanish media and social media have questioned whether UAE should give her more freedom.
An El País headline by Carlos Arribas argued that everyone believes Blasi can win the Tour except her team. The hashtag #FreeBlasi has also appeared occasionally on X.
There was more attention after stage one, when Cycling Podcast journalist Lizzy Banks said she overheard Blasi say, “I’m riding alone.”
Blasi later explained that she meant she had been dropped in the final kilometer. She said she was in no man’s land, with no wheels to follow. She still finished 12th and limited the damage.
The white jersey also brought small complications. Blasi joked that riders sometimes failed to recognize her because she was not wearing standard UAE kit.
She said some riders tried to move her away from her own teammates. Blasi added that stage two felt better because UAE rode more collectively.
She said Włodarczyk and Longo Borghini were both well protected.
Włodarczyk loses time but remains in plan
Włodarczyk’s Tour began with a setback. She lost 37 seconds on stage one after being caught in the crash that also brought down Elisa Balsamo.
The crash happened 1,500 meters from the finish. Despite the time loss, UAE has not removed Włodarczyk from its leadership plan.
The Polish climber said she still believes the Tour remains wide open. She pointed to UAE’s depth and noted that Longo Borghini and Blasi remain high overall.
Włodarczyk also said the race could force changes after the time trial and harder stages. She said that on paper, UAE has two leaders, but “the road will speak.”
That phrase has become a recurring theme inside the team. Pridham, Blasi and Włodarczyk have each used similar wording in recent interviews.
Pridham said UAE has confidence in Włodarczyk and sees Longo Borghini as a natural leader. She also pointed to Longo Borghini’s strength in the Giro after a difficult start to the season.
Pridham argued that having two co-leaders helps the team. She also said 37 seconds could matter less once the race reaches Mont Ventoux on stage seven.
Time trial could test UAE tactics
The next major test for UAE’s internal order could come in the 21km stage four time trial. Blasi has shown the form to challenge established stars, even if she entered without protected status.
Pridham said UAE would assess the situation on the road if Blasi finishes ahead of the co-leaders. She added that the team will take the race day by day.
Blasi’s future also adds intrigue. Movistar and Lidl-Trek are among the teams rumored as possible suitors after this season.
For now, UAE’s stated goal remains broader than any single rider. After illness disrupted the team’s 2025 Tour, Pridham wants a stage win and a place in the GC fight in Nice.
Whether that challenge comes through Longo Borghini, Włodarczyk or Paula Blasi remains unresolved. UAE insists the road will decide.
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