Pogačar sees UAE armor crumble rapidly: McNulty goes home sick, Wellens just within time limit
CyclingFriday, 24 July 2026 at 09:38
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Follow us on GoogleUAE Emirates-XRG is facing a tough third week in the Tour de France. The team of yellow jersey wearer Tadej Pogačar and third-placed Isaac del Toro called the shots for two weeks, but the armor of the multi-million dollar team is crumbling rapidly. After a grueling day for Adam Yates on Tuesday and Wednesday, Brandon McNulty and Tim Wellens ran into difficulties on stage 18 on Thursday.
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Yates’ ordeal was very much in the spotlight on Wednesday during Stage 17, but had actually begun as far back as the time trial in Stage 16. The experienced Briton was suffering from stomach problems and even had to vomit, but managed to make the time limit in both stages. On Wednesday, however, this was thanks to Wellens, who dropped back and mentally guided Yates across the finish line.
Team manager Mauro Gianetti confirmed before the start of Stage 18 that the UAE team is no longer in the best of health. ‘Fortunately, Adam is feeling better today,’ the Swiss manager told Sporza. The climber finished more than 28 minutes behind, but was not among the last to cross the line. That ‘honour’ on Thursday went to his team-mates McNulty and Wellens.
‘His stomach problems are virtually a thing of the past. He does feel a bit drained, though, because he didn’t eat yesterday, of course,’ Gianetti said of Yates. ‘He knows he’ll be struggling, but on Friday and Saturday he should still be able to perform at around 90 per cent of his capacity. It’s good that we stayed with him yesterday, because mountain stages await on Friday and Saturday. He’ll be key.’
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McNulty withdraws, Wellens just makes the time limit
Although Yates appeared to be riding somewhat more comfortably, the worries for UAE and Pogacar are not yet over. McNulty was reported to be in trouble early on in the eighteenth stage and the American ultimately failed to reach the finish. To make matters worse, Wellens was next, trailing behind the peloton. He made the time limit, with 2 minutes and 15 seconds to spare.
Before the start, the Belgian had already emphasised to Sporza that he, McNulty and Yates were ‘not feeling well’. "I’m not feeling too great myself either. I’ve got a sore throat, a bit of a phlegmy cough and I just don’t feel quite myself. But more than half of our team are still in top form. Tadej is still looking very good," Wellens tried to reassure everyone.
Nevertheless, he also had to emphasise that the illness within the team was prompting certain measures. ‘Everyone has separate rooms, and on the coach, those who are ill sit apart from the healthy ones. Those who are ill eat in their rooms so as not to infect others," he explained. Pogačar was still able to laugh about it at the start. "I think there’s a greater chance of getting ill if I’m talking to you lot here," he smiled.
"Or when you’re riding uphill through all those fans. I’m not worried within the team’s bubble," concluded the general classification leader, who didn’t run into any trouble on stage 18 and, like Del Toro, finished with the GC contenders. Felix Grossschartner did the hard work in the final stretch, as the only domestique on duty. Florian Vermeersch and Nils Politt had, in fact, already been dropped earlier.
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David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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Latest Comments
- - Small nitpick: calling her team “UAE Team L’Imad” looks off – isn’t it UAE Team ADQ? If there’s been a rebrand, would love a link. Otherwise top article.sprocketspiny13-08-2026
- - Great read, cheers. Montreal Worlds on Sept 26 is a punchy course, right? If it’s more classics-style, that could really suit ELB’s diesel plus race smarts. Forza Elisa!gearguru3313-08-2026
- - When she says focus shifts after 2026 toward the 2027 TdFF, does that mean she’ll skip a full GC tilt at the 2026 Giro? Or will she ride it as prep and target stages like this year?cyclechamp4513-08-2026
- - Are we sure the gap to Vollering “isn’t that big”? On the climbs Demi looked untouchable, and Kasia too. ELB needs a sharper team train in the high mountains or she’ll be chasing again inlindae13-08-2026
- - Massive respect for ELB. Coming back from bronchitis and that rough Giro to snag third in Nice says everything about her engine and race craft. Loved how she managed the final three stages – proper veteran nous.michael5413-08-2026
- - Wow, I didn’t know wearing Pantani’s earring was even allowed. Does UCI normally permit jewelry in races, or was that strictly for the Olympics?gearguru3312-08-2026
- - Not totally sold on the “excellent sprinter” tag yet. Different beast when you’ve got 180 riders fighting for wheels at 70 kph. Let’s see him in a lead-out before crowning anything.cadencekingm12-08-2026
- - Great read. 7,330 km plus Arc 1950 camp after a broken collarbone shows proper commitment. If he can handle positioning and bunch dynamics, Tour du Limousin could suit him with those rolling stages.breakawaybikerd12-08-2026
- - Curious: how does biathlon explosiveness really translate to sprinting on the road? Is the power profile comparable to a 15–20s sprint after 4 hours? Genuinely wondering.julien12-08-2026
- - Love this move. Jacquelin’s VO2 and altitude background from biathlon could make him lethal on punchy finishes. La Polynormande is a tough debut but perfect to learn race craft. Chapeau to Decathlon CMA CGM for thinking outside the box.samanthak12-08-2026
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