Tim Wellens explains why UAE Emirates-XRG chased the Tour de France breakaway

UAE Emirates-XRG spent a large part of Sunday’s Tour de France stage riding hard at the front of the peloton. Many cycling fans struggled to understand the team’s tactics, but Tim Wellens offered a logical explanation after the finish.

Following a furious opening phase, a strong 16-rider breakaway managed to get clear. Many assumed that was the end of the chase, but UAE Emirates-XRG refused to allow the gap to grow beyond approximately one minute. “It became clear quite quickly that they were beginning to ride away in the break.”

“That was when we had to decide whether we should start riding or not. The sports directors said the break could be given more time — much more time, even. But Felix [Grossschartner] and I felt good, so we didn’t want to give away all those minutes for free.”

Wellens explained that UAE was not necessarily riding with the stage victory as its main objective. “Before the start, we had said that if it came down to a small-group sprint, we might still be able to sprint with Isaac. Halfway through the stage, that was perhaps still an option, but in the end the breakaway just managed to stay ahead. We didn’t want to commit absolutely everything to the chase either.”

Wellens also dismissed criticism of UAE’s approach. “Today, only Felix and I had to ride at the front. We didn’t even have to work during the final 40 kilometres on the flat. Personally, I would rather ride hard on the climbs, where everyone is suffering, than ride slowly everywhere and have to work throughout the entire day.”

Another consideration was the team classification, which Lidl-Trek currently leads. “It does matter to the riders. Obviously, the main objective is to have the yellow jersey in Paris, but if we can also win the team classification — which is a secondary classification — that would be a nice bonus. It is not the most important thing, though.”

“I was happy that I could ride at the front on the climb. What I would not have enjoyed was riding at the front during the final 30 kilometres, into a headwind on those wide roads,” Wellens concluded.