"He even does the laundry and cooks dinner" - Inside how Tadej Pogacar leads UAE teammates ahead of Tour de France

Tadej Pogacar is a champion on the bike and a ruthless competitor. However, his UAE Team Emirates XRG boss has given an insight into a different rider off the bike - who doesn't mind getting his hands dirty for his teammates.

Race wins isn't the only thing the Slovenian has been cooking up this season as Joxean Matxin opened up on how he also cooks and does laundry while on training camps with his teammates - offering a level playing field with his Emirati squad teammates.

With his teammates controlling breakaways and races before lining up Pogacar for an attack, demonstrating remarkable loyalty and cohesion with the confidence that the four-time Tour de France winner can deliver results - which he has multiple times this season.

Matxin attributes their spirit and togetherness to Pogacar's leadership, noting that his attitude and dedication lead the way for his colleagues.

"His leadership skills are remarkable," Matxin told Mundo Deportivo. "He cares about his teammates, about the team. He's always there for training camp, and he even does the laundry and cooks dinner.

"Only a true leader can do that. I'd highlight his commitment to the job, his attitude, his dedication—both his own and the team's—that's what matters most. And then, when he gets an opportunity during a race, he seizes it. The best thing about the team is its attitude. We're a family."

For the UAE General Manager, it's all about the little things. He added: "They're gestures. It's a matter of gestures, and that's the most beautiful thing, when someone like Tadej is a champion on the bike and a gentleman off it."

It's been far from a straightforward season for UAE as injuries saw their well laid-out plans scuppered as several of his top lieutenants were forced off the bike. Pogacar, meanwhile, still delivered in key races. However, things are taking shape ahead of July 4th.

"We've achieved stability and security. The team is calm. We have a present and a future in the sport, and we've shown our ability to overcome even very critical moments. In April and May, we had up to 15 riders with injuries and two with infections."

Matxin name-checked key riders who were ruled out with crashes and infections: "Riders like Almeida, McNulty, and Vine. Yes, we have fewer victories than last year, which is understandable, but we've overcome difficult situations."

Normal is the word for Matxin, who praised the Slovenian's temperament ahead of a Tour de France battle next month.

He concluded: "There are no secrets. When you see someone who's a phenomenon, they have to have the attitude of a phenomenon. Tadej is a normal guy who wins races extraordinarily well. He's normal and he wants to stay normal."