Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
2024 Tour de France
29 June–21 July 2024
UAE Team Emirates plan to adopt a more conservative approach in the final week of the
2024 Tour de France to ensure that Tadej Pogacar retains the yellow jersey.
The team had gone on the offensive in the hilly and mountain stages to help Pogacar open up a 3:09 lead over Visma–Lease a Bike's Jonas Vingegaard in the general classification after two weeks of racing.
The Slovenian took his first stage victory in Valloire on July 2 and also triumphed at Pla d'Adet and Plateau de Beille ahead of the Tour's second rest day.
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However, Joao Almeida, who is taking part in his first Tour de France, revealed that UAE Team Emirates are set to change tactics for the six remaining stages.
Asked by Cycling Weekly if the team would ride more cautiously from now on, Almeida said: "Definitely. We have a really good gap, we don't have to attack anymore, and we can just follow the wheel.
"Maybe some breakaways can go so other teams can also have a chance. Of course, if there is a good stage for us and Tadej wants to win, then of course we can go for it, but I think we can be a bit more chill now.
"Of course we have to always keep the focus, like we have always been doing. Six stages to go and it only ends in Nice, and anything can happen until there. The Tour is not won at all, we need to be focused."
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