Pogačar and UAE release illness update ahead of Tour de France stage 19 start: 'Pretty much status quo'

It really is the defining story of the end of this Tour de France: the illness outbreak at UAE Team Emirates-XRG. Tadej Pogačar’s team saw Brandon McNulty drop out of Stage 18 on Thursday, and Tim Wellens, in turn, finished just 2 minutes ahead of the time limit. How is UAE faring ahead of the start of Stage 19 to Alpe d'Huez?

Going into Thursday’s stage, it was still a bit of a guessing game as to the condition of the UAE riders. Wellens himself said he didn’t feel fit, but team manager Joxean Fernandez Matxin, on the other hand, said the Belgian was in good shape. Only Adam Yates was (reportedly) sick, as evidenced by his struggle during Wednesday’s stage.

Nothing could be further from the truth: McNulty didn't make it to the finish line on Thursday. Wellens did make it to the finish, though he was just 2 minutes shy of the time limit. How is the team shaping up for Friday? “Our situation is pretty much the same as yesterday. Tim is dealing with some pain and aches; it’s going to be another struggle to get through,” Matxin told Sporza.

And Yates? “Adam’s doing better. He’s making progress, and that’s good news. But overall, it’s pretty much status quo, yes,” the Spaniard explains, indicating that the situation is the same as it was the day before. That doesn’t bode very well for Wellens, especially with the grueling stage to Alpe d’Huez on the schedule.

There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the yellow jersey wearer. “He’s healthy,” Matxin says firmly about Pogacar. And what about white jersey wearer Isaac Del Toro? “Didn’t he finish up front with the favorites yesterday? You can’t get better proof than the results,” says Matxin. So it seems there’s no sign of illness with the Mexican.

The Spanish team director acknowledges that the competition senses an opportunity. “They know something’s off, and they have every right to think so. They can take their chances, and we’ll stay focused and keep fighting. Even though we’re down a rider, today will be a natural selection. Fitness and leg strength will be the deciding factors. Every rider wants to win on this legendary mountain, and that goes for us, too.”