"I was really motivated to give it a go, for Tadej" - UAE desparate to dedicate Vuelta victory for Pogacar as Sivakov comes close
CyclingMonday, 31 August 2026 at 11:14
UAE Team Emirates - XRG are determined to dedicate a Vuelta a Espana stage victory to their fallen leader Tadej Pogacar, and 24 hours after the Slovenian crashed out of the race, Pavel Sivakov was well on his way to a breakaway win, one he was especially motivated to deliver for Pogacar.
As the breakaway seemed set to fight for the victory on the final 22-kilometer test of stage 9, with Sivakov and Marcel Camprubi boasting just over five minutes of an advantage on the peloton and over a minute on the remnants of the break, it seemed like all was going to plan for UAE picking up the pieces.
Re-focusing on stage victories in the wake of Pogacar's departure from the race, Sivakov went solo in the finale, but couldn't quite hold off a surging peloton of general classification contenders as Richard Carapaz started the fireworks as Sivakov was swallowed up around five kilometers from the line.
Enric Mas and Oscar Onley ultimately seized the day, taking time on the rest as Mas closed out a Vuelta stage win in red. However, Sivakov was left disappointed but happy to take the opportunity to go for his own success.
"I mean - do we have the choice really?," Sivakov stated when asked by Eurosport about his breakaway exploits. "It's normal, we are here now to try and win some stages, and today I was really motivated to give it a go, for Tadej, for the team and also for myself."
UAE Team Emirates face two weeks of the Vuelta a Espana without Tadej Pogacar
Sivakov comes close to stage win
"You work really hard all year, so when you have an opportunity like this you have to try and take it."
Sivakov couldn't quite finish it off despite having good legs, noting the length and never-ending nature of the ascent as a big factor in his catch.
"I went really deep, but unfortunately the climb was just endless. I couldn't see the end. When we turned right at the end onto the smaller roads, I could see the top, but it was just unfinishing," he explained.
UAE will keep trying to take stage wins
"The legs were pretty good. I was fighting for the victory, and actually that's not a situation I was in so often. So I was nervous about how to manage it, but in the end I put myself in a good position. I just didn't have the legs to finish it off."
UAE won't stop trying, Sivakov confirmed. Despite also losing Pablo Torres to an abandonment, the Emirati squad will be active in breakaways over the coming days.
"Of course, there are many other opportunities," he added. "It's only the first week now, and there are many other days to give it a go. We'll keep trying with all of the team."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- So quick step proved they are a bunch of sore losers. Inspecting the bike was unprofessional. Especially after UAE left it in their control. If therebike was illegal they never would have left it with quick stepcaptmike31-08-2026
- This sensation of a return needs to go out the window, yes he's a 1 in a million person who does what he can do BUT I feel this is a indicator to himself to be happy with what he's got already this year and his life.. he'd be a fool to race again this year!
leedorney31-08-2026 - Mou you do go on my friend. Much ado about nothing. As for Lefevere I'm sure you would like him too if you met him in a social situation. One away from the attention grabbing headlines in the cycling press.Cyclingsbestfan31-08-2026
- Sorry, replied to the wrong person, as most will deduct.Mistermaumau31-08-2026
- Did you miss the other articles??? Mas or Primoz will probably win but the Vuelta story is still dominated by…. and you haven’t said a thing. And depending on final results, a lot will be said with constant reminders of who was absent.Mistermaumau31-08-2026
- Sweety, i heard my name, are you looking for me? You do need to slow down and read what people write. Not sure why you have it in your head that I dislike Pog. See ya cowboy.
Andrew31-08-2026 - “You will see a couple sitting in the lobby, and anyone who isn’t into cycling would never suspect that the guy in the hoodie is the best cyclist in the world,” This is why I love this sport. No show boating like you would see in F1, football, tennis, golf, etc. On top of this, pro cyclists are some of the fittest athletes in the world and train much more than those aforementioned sports (and get paid much less).Pogboom31-08-2026
- You did a great ride Jarno. The reason why we saw a great race was the fact that it was slower. UAE did not drive up the pace like the would have if Pogacar had been there. The peleton rode sensibly knowing what was coming in that last climb to the finish. It worked out well and we saw a great race. Had Pogacar been there I doubt you would have got that seventh place. With Pogacar out and injured the dynamic of stage racing has changed. It is astonishing the influence Pogacar has had on racing.Cyclingsbestfan31-08-2026
- Why is it arrogant to just try because you personally want to? Especially when you’ve been close to achieving it in the past? I think it’s great he has a go even if his schedule doesn’t allow him. Next up Bol will be considered arrogant because she switched from hurdling to the 800?Mistermaumau31-08-2026
- Apparently, it really was because he had one hand off for drinking, I didn’t even know. Lightning strikes twice.Mistermaumau31-08-2026
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