"He's complaining about something that isn't there" - Wout van Aert critical of Tadej Pogacar's words on Visma tactics
Cycling
It could be said that there isn't a true war of words between Team Visma | Lease a Bike and UAE Team Emirates - XRG, but there is certainly a growing tension throughout this Tour de France. Wout van Aert has responded to Tadej Pogacar's words regarding stage 15's tactics and the Belgian was not satisfied with what he had heard.
"Luckily, it doesn’t bother me and neither does anyone else in the group. At least, I don’t get that feeling. But it’s quite funny that Tadej says it," van Aert said it in a press conference this morning, as reported by TNT Sports.
Early on Sunday's stage, Jonas Vingegaard was affected by a fall that split the peloton. Whilst it seemed clear that the large group would return to the front of the race, Pogacar talked about Visma's tactics of maintaining three riders in the front group. The racing hadn't stopped and the plan was to get them in the breakaway, where Victor Campenaerts and Wout van Aert ultimately finished amongst the first.
After the stage Pogacar commented: "I didn't know what to think. I blocked Matteo, so the three of them couldn't continue. Maybe I helped Jonas by doing that, because it was a pretty strange situation. If I were in Jonas's position, I wouldn't be the happiest at the dinner table tonight". This was seen as a dig on Visma's tactics and perhaps an attempt to undermine the Dutch collective.
Van Aert did not hold back when asked about the statements. "It was also very clear that UAE Emirates - XRG wanted Tim Wellens in the breakaway. They did exactly the same. And when I look back at that situation with Jonas’ crash, I think the solution would have been really simple. With 25 riders, we tried to get into the breakaway".
Van Aert did not enjoy Pogacar's words, and most likely believes it is part of a psychological tactic from the Slovenian - something which seems to have been a back and forth between the two teams over the past few weeks. "If Tadej had simply dropped back into the group Jonas was in, that would have been truly sporting. Now he's complaining about something that isn't there. We simply wanted to race for the stage win.
Visma dropping back their riders would likely result in the same situation for Vingegaard, whilst reducing it's chances of being in the winning breakaway. The Belgian sees no drama in the race scenario that had developed: "Everyone who was there at that moment was there to be in the breakaway. I think that's a perfectly normal thing."
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- Love this guy. He is such a pure racer.mij07-11-2026
- Fair enough. Everyone’s entitled to one and I respect yours! Nothing wrong with being a one week and GT guy if that’s his vibemij07-11-2026
- LOL...it's a predetermined finish ! N one is 'clashing' at these exhibition crits!frieders307-11-2026
- Surely the UCI and the race organisers have a responsibility to ensure the best medical care is available to riders when incidents like this happen. All very well pushing for global expansion but not so good if riders lives are put at risk because medical support is not up to scratch.Andy12306-11-2026
- Well it clearly helps that this was Pidcock's own car, no?Occam06-11-2026
- The American performance at the World's road race was a masterclass in cycling tactics. If it wasn't McNulty, it might well have been Jorgensen or Simmons to take off and win in a solo break.Occam06-11-2026
- What a gimmick
Rafionain-Glas06-11-2026 - Thats only cause he rides for UAE. In any other team he would be captain in many races atleast. UAE is just to crazymiguel06-11-2026
- He seems to be the rare athlete whose passion and curiosity about life beyond his sport equals his extraordinary achievements in it. It would be great for him to risk less of that life. He seems very grateful and joyful for what he has already attained.
MarkFour06-11-2026 - As much as I admire and even revere Wout, the less I know about his backside the better.MidnightRider06-11-2026
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