UAE vs. Visma Fight Escalates: "This Isn't a Little Thing Anymore"

The Intensifying Rivalry Between Visma | Lease a Bike and UAE Emirates-XRG

The rivalry between the teams Visma | Lease a Bike and UAE Emirates-XRG is reaching new heights. Both teams have been engaging in a psychological battle, with each side launching sharp criticisms at the other. This tension has only grown more intense as the Tour de France progresses, and now it seems that another layer has been added to their competition.

Visma | Lease a Bike appears to be shifting its focus toward the team classification for the remainder of the race. This move has sparked further debate and speculation about the strategies being employed by both teams.

A Controversial Moment on Sunday

One of the most notable incidents occurred during Sunday’s stage when Jonas Vingegaard crashed early in the race. Tadej Pogacar, the world champion, later described the situation, explaining that he and Tim Wellens tried to manage the breakaway group so that all riders could return to the main peloton. However, Pogacar noticed that Wout van Aert, Victor Campenaerts, and Matteo Jorgenson continued riding ahead.

Pogacar admitted that he blocked Jorgenson to prevent the group from pushing too hard. He suggested that this action might have helped Vingegaard, although he still believes that Vingegaard has a chance to win the Tour.

Vingegaard responded by stating that the team directors should have sent one or two riders back to support his group. However, Van Aert was less understanding, pointing out that UAE Emirates-XRG had done similar things in the past. He criticized Pogacar for not dropping back to join Vingegaard’s group, calling it an act of true sportsmanship.

A New Dimension in the Rivalry

The tension between the two teams is escalating, and there are signs that the team classification may become a key battleground. According to reports from the Belgian newspaper HLN, Tiesj Benoot hinted at the possibility of targeting the team classification after the stage 13 time trial. His comments were taken seriously, especially after Victor Campenaerts showed strong performance in stage 14.

Campenaerts stayed in the mix during the final ascent to Superbagnères, but he was eventually dropped. He revealed that team director Frans Maassen initially encouraged him to keep pushing, hoping to secure a position in the team classification. However, Maassen later changed his mind, leading to some embarrassment over the communication.

Despite this, Campenaerts emphasized that the team's approach to the classification is serious. “It’s more than just a small detail,” he said, highlighting the importance of the team classification to Visma | Lease a Bike.

Different Perspectives on the Team Classification

While Visma | Lease a Bike sees the team classification as a significant goal, UAE Emirates-XRG takes a different stance. According to Marco Marcato, the sports director of UAE, the team’s primary focus is on the yellow jersey. “If we can also grab the team classification along the way, that’s a nice bonus, but we’re not going to go crazy for it,” he said.

However, Grischa Niermann, the sports director of Visma | Lease a Bike, believes that the team will continue to pursue the classification. “We’re in the lead, and if UAE also wants to go for it, that’s their right. Do I think they’ll chase it? Yes, I think they will. It’s an additional battle,” he said.

The Financial Incentive

The financial incentive for winning the team classification is substantial. The team that finishes first in the classification takes home €50,000, which is double the prize money for the green jersey and the polka dot jersey. For Visma | Lease a Bike, this is not just about the money—it’s also about pride and reputation.

As the Tour de France continues, the battle between these two teams is likely to intensify. Whether it’s through individual performances, strategic moves, or team dynamics, the rivalry shows no signs of slowing down.