José de Cauwer certain that UAE will not play along with co-leadership despite Adam Yates' Tour victory: "He himself denied that after the finish"

In the days leading up to the Tour de France Mauro Gianetti, UAE Team Emirates' DS, claimed Adam Yates would co-lead the team alongside Tadej Pogacar. Doubts about the Slovenian's form are cleared, and despite Yates' clear great form, José de Cauwer is sure he remains a cog in the plan for Pogacar's possible victory.

"For me, the stage has brought more than expected. Including Julian Alaphilippe who has to let go. It is the absolute GC men who came forward, with one man: Wout van Aert. Few predicted that," José de Cauwer said in the stage's analysis for Sporza. He doesn't believe that Adam Yates is truly a co-leader despite his victory in Bilbao: "No. He himself denied that after the finish. UAE was made for and around Tadej Pogacar. Reserve leader? Yes, yes. In case something happens to Pogacar. They will never spare him. Work, work and work. Now Adam Yates is definitely going to get the most out of it with that victory and that yellow jersey. He will be a top domestique for Pogacar."

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Yates has managed to get 22 seconds (12 on the road, 10 in bonifications) on Jonas Vingegaard over the opening stage, with a well timed attack over the top of the Côte de Pike. UAE have managed to put their depth into good use and enter the race on the right foot, with the yellow jersey on their shoulders and Jumbo-Visma with some pressure. Jonas Vingegaard was not too worried, commenting the four seconds Pogacar won in the final sprint in bonifications won't affect the race much, certainly not looking too concerned with the time lost to the Briton.

He doesn't criticize Jumbo-Visma after yesterday's stage however does believe more could have been done. "Not directly. Those men have a plan and they can't just be thrown off balance. They were very strong in width, just like UAE. It's a pity that Jonas Vingegaard didn't ride in the descent. They could have tried a little more and pulled the card of Wout van Aert a little more after the top of the Côte de Pike. Just relieve it, that really wouldn't have cost that many forces. It is of course possible that Van Aert has given a signal," he concluded.

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"I am surprised by the tactics of UAE Emirates" - Wout van Aert denied opening stage victory at the Tour de France

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