UAE aren't 'too dominant' says last year's Tour de France 10th place: 'We don’t do anything to beat them'

So far, it’s the UAE team that seems to have the Tour de France in its grip. There was some grumbling here and there from the peloton about the tactics of Tadej Pogačar’s team. That being that the breakaway been allowed few opportunities to make a move. Nonsense, says Jordan Jegat. In fact, last year’s 10th place blames the race's would be attackers’ tactics in an interview with IDL Pro Cycling.

We had already spoken with the French rider from TotalEnergies during the Dauphiné and asked him about his ambitions. His answer was actually simple: to finish as high as possible in the general classification, but if he had to sacrifice that classification entirely for a stage win, he would do so. After 12 stages, Jegat is 19th in the general classification, nearly 18 minutes behind Pogacar.

So it seems like a good overall classification has fallen a bit by the wayside. In any case, this coming weekend will bring stages where the French climber can really shine. “They’re really beautiful stages, and I hope to be up front. I think we have a better chance of making it to the finish line then than in the earlier stages.”

According to Jegat, there are opportunities especially on Friday, in Stage 13. “I think there’s a chance for a nice breakaway. Still, the start is flat, so you’ll need a bit of luck to end up in the breakaway. Ideally, a few teammates will be in the breakaway so we can put together a strong climb and, that way, go for the win with a small group.”

That’s the game plan, but the rider who finished 10th in the previous Tour de France is also eager to prove himself. “So far, the only legendary climb we’ve tackled is the Tourmalet, so as a climber, I’m looking forward to more. This weekend features three great stages, where there’s a better chance for a breakaway.”

Jegat was in the breakaway during Tuesday’s Stage 10 to Le Lioran. As has often been the case in this Tour, UAE kept the pace short, and so it was Pogacar once again who crossed the finish line in triumph. “I was a little disappointed after the Le Lioran stage. Not with UAE, because we know they’ve been the best for several years now,” the Frenchman reflected.

His reasoning went like this: “They always race the same way. Many riders aren’t happy that they win everything. But when you end up in a breakaway, we don’t work together. Then attacks happen 100 kilometers from the finish. Ultimately, we don’t do anything to beat UAE either, and that’s a shame,” he said critically.

Tuesday was a good example of that. “In the end, we had a nice breakaway group on the stage to Le Lioran, but since everyone knows who’s going to win, the riders start racing a little strangely, a little differently. Then attacks come from further back. I think some riders aren’t necessarily racing to win, but more to have fun or… I don’t know.”

Clear words from the Frenchman, who is still holding on to the ambition he had set for himself from the start. “The goal is a stage win, but if that doesn’t work out, I at least want to have been in a position where I’m fighting for the victory,” he concluded. Who knows—that might already be the case on Friday during the stage over the Ballon d’Alsace.