Tadej Pogacar's dominance at the Tour de France has sparked debate over whether his supremacy is harming the race's competitive spirit. Riding in 40°C heat is challenging enough without facing Pogacar and UAE Team Emirates XRG daily. As the peloton enjoys the first rest day, team managers are assessing their slim chances against Pogacar's stranglehold.
Criticism and Control
French sports daily L'Équipe asked, "Is Pogacar killing cycling?" after his team chased down breakaways that posed no threat to the overall standings. On Sunday's stage to Ussel, UAE Team Emirates sought help from other teams to pursue escapees, including Tom Pidcock. Pidcock's former team, Netcompany Ineos, obliged, though many questioned their motivation. "We decided to contribute to the chase because we believed in Pippo Ganna," said sports director Daryl Impey.
Pogacar and his team deny being the new 'patron' of the peloton, but the four-time champion echoes serial Tour winners like Eddy Merckx and Lance Armstrong in controlling stage outcomes, even those he doesn't intend to win. Untouchable in the mountains, his detractors say he is untouchable in other ways too. Few have displayed scepticism, even after he shattered the record climbing time on the Col du Tourmalet.
Growing Incredulity
Unlike the open cynicism of the Armstrong era or towards Chris Froome, there is growing incredulity at the roadside over Pogacar's supremacy. He and his team have won three stages, and with six mountain stages left, including a mountain time trial, he may be out of sight before the Tour reaches Paris. He also controls other aspects of the race.
Pogacar appears to have chosen his successor, likely Mexican teammate Isaac del Toro over French prodigy Paul Seixas. Del Toro has already finished on the Giro d'Italia podium and is breathing down second-place Jonas Vingegaard's neck. Seixas, a Tour debutant, is still an apprentice.
Budget Disparity
UAE Team Emirates are suitors for Seixas, and Pogacar has praised the French rider. If they sign Seixas, they would employ three of the world's top 10 riders. "In the World Tour, there's essentially five haves and there are 13 have-nots," said Jonathan Vaughters, manager of EF Education EasyPost. "Your average budget now is €32m or €33m, and it's actually just five teams that are on €50m to 55m."
Vaughters noted that UAE won 100 races last year and are on track to repeat. He advocates salary caps, saying, "Very few different teams are able to win the races now. Everyone else can be there and race for minor placings, but winning is down to just a few teams."
A decade ago, according to Vaughters, there were not four or five mega-budget teams pushing up salaries. Now bidding wars have widened the gap between haves and have-nots. For the French, the curtailing of Seixas hype due to UAE's control has been tough. Vaughters sympathises with fans feeling ennui: "Right now, the way the sport is set up, we are discouraging sponsors and fans. If you're not a fan of UAE and not interested in another Pogacar win, why are you watching?"
