"It's a bit destructive for the entertainment that Visma and UAE are terribly greedy" - Uno-X Mobility respond to lack of respect claims and demand more breakaway leeway

Much has been made about a supposed lack of respect within the peloton of the 2024 Tour de France, with the Uno-X Mobility riders coming in for some criticism, especially after Jonas Abrahamsen attempted and attack whilst the Maillot Jaune wearing Tadej Pogacar had pulled over for a nature break.

After Abrahamsen's attempted attack was nullified, a number of the senior figures rode up to the Norwegian, who has spent a lot of this Grand Tour in the polka-dot jersey, to voice their disgust with his actions. This comes a few days after one of the peloton's senior figures, former Tour de France winner Egan Bernal expressed his disappointment at the attitude of the new generation.

In conversation with TV2 however, a number of Uno-X Mobility riders have hit back. According to Odd Christian Eiking for example, respect works both ways. "You can say that they are shooting themselves in the foot a bit," explains the former wearer of the Red Jersey at the Vuelta a Espana. "You have the respect for the yellow jersey, that has always been there when we stop when they do what is necessary. Then you don't offend, but when they don't give anything back, we don't get any benefits. It's a bit crazy, but at the same time it's completely unreal how good Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard are. There is a bit of give and take."

Tobias Johannessen was active in the breakaway on stage 15. Despite starting the final climb clear however, he never truly felt there was any chance for the attackers with Team Visma | Lease a Bike riding hard an nullifying any potential advantage for the break.

"In the long run, it is a bit destructive for the entertainment that Visma and the UAE are terribly greedy," adds Tour de France debutant Johannes Kulset, urging the break to be given more leeway.. "And I understand it well, because it is the Tour de France and they have the same goal, but it is not fun that the same people win every time. It's a bit awkward that it's almost impossible, but we just have to keep trying."