Team Anxious as Pogačar Nears Fifth Tour de France Title

Tadej Pogačar is on the verge of securing his fifth Tour de France victory, with all major mountain challenges now behind him. His commanding lead of 6 minutes and 26 seconds over second-placed Remco Evenepoel suggests the overall win is all but assured. However, for Andrej Hauptman, the sports director for Team UAE, the anxiety will only subside upon the race's official conclusion on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

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We cannot forget Montmartre and the descent, which will still give us a headache. I am happy, I am proud of our team's work. You saw how we suffered a few days ago. The guys pulled together, and del Toro had the best cyclist in the world as his assistant.

"We cannot forget Montmartre and the descent, which will still give us a headache. I am happy, I am proud of our team's work. You saw how we suffered a few days ago. The guys pulled together, and del Toro had the best cyclist in the world as his assistant," Hauptman told Slovenian journalists at Alpe d'Huez.

In the demanding 20th stage, Pogačar not only solidified his overall lead but also acted as a crucial support rider for his teammate Isaac del Toro, helping him secure third place on the podium. Hauptman detailed how Pogačar dictated the pace, ensuring del Toro was well-positioned. "Tadej said he felt good, that there were no problems, that he would set the pace. We told them they had to be careful because Paul Seixas is an excellent cyclist, and his teammate Matthew Riccitello was waiting the whole stage for a possible attack. On the last climb, del Toro felt great and attacked, and Tadej took him to the finish," Hauptman explained.

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Tadej said he felt good, that there were no problems, that he would set the pace. We told them they had to be careful because Paul Seixas is an excellent cyclist, and his teammate Matthew Riccitello was waiting the whole stage for a possible attack. On the last climb, del Toro felt great and attacked, and Tadej he took him to the finish.

While an individual stage win was also within reach, the team's priority was safeguarding Pogačar's yellow and white jerseys and ensuring the safety of all riders. Hauptman emphasized caution due to the poor condition of the roads, particularly on descents. "We knew what the gaps were, and also that Sepp Kuss had fallen. Above all, we informed our riders so that the same would not happen to them. I kept telling the two of them to be careful on the descents because the road was in very bad condition, bumpy. We didn't want any accident to happen in the final kilometers," he added.

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We knew what the gaps were, and also that Sepp Kuss had fallen. Above all, we informed our riders so that the same would not happen to them. I kept telling the two of them to be careful on the descents because the road was in very bad condition, bumpy. We didn't want any accident to happen in the final kilometers.

Despite the near-certainty of his fifth title, Pogačar's evident enjoyment of racing might even see him participate in the shortened final stage in Paris, which includes three ascents and descents of Montmartre. Hauptman, who is witnessing Pogačar's Tour de France victory for the seventh time, expressed his lingering concern about potential mishaps before the official finish line.

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That's exactly what worries me.