Pogačar Sparks Pre-Stage 6 Controversy Amid Alarming Rift Within UAE Team Emirates

Just moments before the start of Stage 6 of the 2025 Tour de France, the serene focus that typically surrounds UAE Team Emirates was shattered when Tadej Pogačar, the team’s star and a two-time Tour champion, was spotted in an unusually animated discussion with team staff—a moment that quickly spiraled into headlines suggesting deep fractures within the team’s inner workings.

The Slovenian rider, who has carried the hopes of UAE Team Emirates for several years with extraordinary performances, appeared visibly agitated near the team bus. What began as a whispered exchange rapidly became a heated conversation, with Pogačar throwing his arms in frustration and walking away from team manager Mauro Gianetti. Witnesses say fellow riders João Almeida and Juan Ayuso were caught in the periphery, looking uncomfortable and distant.

While the team attempted to downplay the scene as a “routine pre-stage discussion,” those on-site—including former riders and reporters—read the situation very differently. The moment, caught partially on live broadcast cameras and spread rapidly on social media, has fueled rumors of internal conflict that many believe have been simmering since the start of this Tour.

Sources close to the team suggest that the dispute may be rooted in tactical disagreements. During Stage 5, analysts observed Pogačar making late moves unsupported by teammates, a stark departure from UAE’s usually flawless team execution. Speculation now swirls around whether Pogačar is feeling increasingly isolated—both on and off the bike.

“He’s riding like a man who doesn’t trust his team anymore,” one anonymous insider told a French outlet. “There’s been tension ever since Almeida was given co-leadership responsibilities. Pogačar isn’t just racing his rivals—he’s racing his own teammates.”

Indeed, UAE’s attempt to balance its wealth of GC contenders has always walked a tightrope, but never has the imbalance looked so public and raw. Reports from within the paddock hint that Pogačar is frustrated with the shifting team dynamics, especially with Ayuso being groomed as a future leader, and Almeida being handed more autonomy during mountain stages.

Adding to the drama, during Stage 4, Pogačar was seen signaling frustration at lack of support when he launched a solo attack on Col du Galibier. Though the move was textbook Pogačar—bold, explosive, and thrilling—many expected at least one domestique to back him. None arrived. He ended the day alone, both on the descent and, perhaps metaphorically, within the team.

Despite reassurances from the UAE Team Emirates press office that “everything is under control,” the atmosphere tells a different story. Fans have noticed that the usual camaraderie between Pogačar and his trusted lieutenant Rafal Majka has been unusually muted. Photos from the team dinner showed Pogačar seated separately from the rest of the table.

For cycling purists, this disruption is both fascinating and deeply concerning. Pogačar has long been admired not only for his talent, but for his joy, humility, and synergy with his teammates. Seeing those pillars of his brand fracture in front of the world stage leaves many to wonder—what happens next?

As Stage 6 looms, the question isn’t just whether Pogačar can win. It’s whether his team will ride for him at all.

And in the brutal terrain of the Tour de France, where mental strength is as vital as physical power, that question might make all the difference.