UAE team Emirates – XRG in dreamland with both Pogacar and Ayuso in red hot form: “There's always a stage win at stake on days like these”
Cycling
It seems nothing can go wrong for UAE Team Emirates – XRG as
they continue to dominate the early part of the 2025 season. Juan Ayuso added
another major victory to the team’s tally, winning Stage 6 of Tirreno-Adriatico
to move into the overall race lead. The Spanish talent once again proved his
growing maturity and race intelligence, a trait that team manager Fabrizio
Guidi highlighted in his post-race reflections.
"Juan is a rider who grows every year, and this year he
is really starting to pay attention to his teammates, to the staff, and he sees
the bigger picture," Guidi told In de Leiderstrui after the stage. "The
head is just as important as the body, you don't always just ride away and win
solo. If he is much stronger than the rest, then we are not going to stop him
from attacking. But sometimes you have to be patient, like Friday's
stage."
The way UAE Team Emirates – XRG controlled the race was a
testament to their tactical intelligence. Rather than dictating the pace all
day, they allowed Tom Pidcock Q36.5 Team and Jai Hindley’s BORA - hansgrohe
team to take responsibility for much of the work, only taking over when it
mattered most.
"For us, it was important to take the leader's
jersey," Guidi explained. "I was not surprised that other teams were
also thinking about the bonus seconds and the stage win. We only had to drop
Filippo Ganna, not necessarily the others. That is why we waited for other
teams."
Ayuso himself had already made his intentions clear before
the stage, speaking with In de Leiderstrui about his aggressive mindset.
"If I have the legs, I'll gladly try. There's always a
stage win at stake on days like these. You have to be intelligent and know your
differences to others, so sometimes you have to play it smart. But if you've
secured a classification, you can always go on the offensive. Attack is the
best defense, right?"
His confidence and race awareness have been key to his
continued development, and his approach reflects the broader philosophy within
UAE Team Emirates – XRG. The team thrives on giving its leaders the freedom to
make decisions in the heat of battle, trusting their instincts while providing
them with all the necessary tactical insight.
"As a team, you always have to rely on the feeling of
the riders, we will never push someone or slow someone down," Guidi
emphasized. "We have to give them all the information about the race and
what the others are doing. Then it is up to the rider and his legs—he is on the
bike and feels the competition."
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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