"The best defense is a great attack" - Tactics made simple for UAE with Pogacar, Matxin explains
CyclingTuesday, 14 July 2026 at 18:52
Tadej Pogacar struck another authoritative blow at the Tour de France 2026. The race leader took stage 10 with a devastating attack at the most unexpected moment, just as Team Visma | Lease a Bike had taken control of the bunch and, inadvertently, handed the Slovenian the perfect platform to go.
On a day when, for the first time this edition, UAE Team Emirates-XRG showed hints of frailty, the world’s best rider responded in the most assertive way: attacking and extending his lead in the standings.
The other side of the coin was Isaac del Toro. The Mexican could not follow the best at the decisive point and lost time on GC, giving up part of the ground he had consolidated during the opening week. Even so, the Emirati squad retain full confidence in one of the peloton’s major talents.
Matxín explains UAE’s tactic
After the stage, Joxean Fernández Matxín, one of UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s key sports directors, assessed a day on which the team had to change its usual way of racing.
“We have to enjoy the victory. Isaac suffered, he had a bad moment, but I’m convinced he’ll have a great Tour,” said the Basque director, downplaying the time the Mexican lost.
Matxín also explained why Pogacar chose to go on the offensive instead of waiting to control the race. “As he always says, the best defense is a great attack. When other teams started to pull, we couldn’t, so Tadej went,” he noted.
Tadej Pogacar has extended his lead at the Tour de France
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Perfect scenario for UAE at the Tour
The sports director admitted the ideal scenario would have been very different for UAE. “Ideally, Isaac would have been with him, but these things happen. Let’s hope it goes better for the rest of the Tour,” he concluded.
Matxín’s words reflect the philosophy with which Pogacar is dominating this Tour de France, gathering a win that further consolidates his lead, while UAE hope Isaac del Toro regains his feeling in the coming stages to remain a key support in the mountains.
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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- Nah, in Belgium it is: On a climb 3.5 km at 5.5%, easier than the Cipressa, where Mathieu van der Poel can keep up with Pogačar, Evenepoel was dropped by Vingegaard's constant tempo.
Rafionain-Glas14-07-2026 - Fantastic words, my friend (bruins30)! Chapeau!Lobz7714-07-2026
- I doubt he'll win tomorrow. Jake Stewart is leading out Biniam Girmay. Fred Wright is probably the only rider who could try something. Fortunately for us, and for everyone else in the World apart from Argentinians and some villages in India, no English rider should be winning tomorrow.Rafionain-Glas14-07-2026
- Wym "he can make up some of this" 😂, he was only 3-9 seconds behind and then caught up and was the best of the rest behind pogbruins3014-07-2026
- At least last year, jonas a little bit more interesting rider than this year, he is more explosive. Visma also a lot more passive this year compare to last yearZamorano14-07-2026
- I would like to say to all the French people...yes, the FRENCH...only the ones that booed Pogi... SHAME ON YOU!!! Are you fools suggesting that Pogi has done something wrong, unethical, or foolish, and that he should genuinely feel guilty or embarrassed about his "behavior," that he should have a superiority complex??? If you think so, then I have very harsh words for you, but I won't say them, because I would be banned for the rest of my life. I know their are also good French people, and I'm apologizing to them.mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales14-07-2026
- He did most of the work but he was at the back for quite a while too. Like at Tourmalet he stopped pedaling a few meters before the line losing speed and head down. He never used to do that.Cyclingnut14-07-2026
- I would like to say to all the French people...yes, the FRENCH...only the ones that booed Pogi... SHAME ON YOU!!! Are you fools suggesting that Pogi has done something wrong, unethical, or foolish, and that he should genuinely feel guilty or embarrassed about his "behavior," that he should have a superiority complex??? If you think so, then I have very harsh words for you, but I won't say them, because I would be banned for the rest of my life.mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales14-07-2026
- H’s been leading the chasers since the start. Hard to tell how he’ll evolve, is he just missing some sharpness from post Giro recovery or is he tired from it, nothing concrete yet but in either case, he’s still doing well against all the fresh young guns after a Giro win.Mistermaumau14-07-2026
- Pidcock?Mistermaumau14-07-2026
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