Zonneveld suspects a deal between Pogačar and Red Bull: 'Doesn't view Evenepoel as a real competitor'

Tadej Pogačar’s teamwork has generated a surprising amount of media attention. The yellow jersey wearer decided to sacrifice his chance at a stage win to support his teammate Isaac Del Toro during the 20th stage of the Tour de France. Some didn’t think much of this move, while others felt it showed true class. According to Thijs Zonneveld, it means something entirely different.

After his victory on Alpe d'Huez, Pogačar had already said he would work to secure Del Toro’s spot on the podium. He kept his word and began his effort on the Col du Galibier, crossing the finish line sixty kilometers later alongside the Mexican, one minute behind stage winner Richard Carapaz. Remco Evenepoel finished second, but Pogacar did not respond to his surge.

According to Zonneveld, that says it all. The Slovenian rider from UAE Team Emirates-XRG had a lead of more than seven minutes over the Belgian, so he had plenty of room to maneuver. “I think you can also see today that he doesn’t view Evenepoel as a real competitor,” he says on his podcast In de Waaier. “That makes it a bizarre spectacle.”

The Dutch ex-pro and analyst isn't really a fan of the move. The Slovenian crossed the finish line laughing and hugging Del Toro, while all his competitors were completely wiped out—thanks in part to his efforts. It was humiliating, Zonneveld says. “I find the successful record attempt on Alpe d’Huez less humiliating for his competitors than what he showed today, or on the Plateau de Solaison.”

On the Col du Galibier, Pogačar had already dropped everyone except Evenepoel, Del Toro, Paul Seixas, and Lenny Martinez. A small group caught up on the descent, but on the Col de Sarenne, he picked up the pace again. Decathlon CMA CGM wanted to take over the work, but they were met with a stern glare from Pogacar. “Then they’re just a bunch of glorified cycling tourists who are allowed to ride in his slipstream—and definitely aren’t allowed to attack.”

Pogacar as a domestique—it’s something we’ve never seen before. Why was he willing to ride for his team this time? “That’s because Vingegaard isn’t here,” Zonneveld analyses. Even though he’s minutes ahead of Vingegaard, he’s someone he wouldn’t want to see succeed. No agreements were made with him. It was pretty clear that a deal had been struck with Red Bull, whether it was written or unwritten.”

Those are strong words from the podcaster, who later explains the claim. “Evenepoel won on the Plateau de Solaison; a few days later, Red Bull UAE helped bring the breakaway riders back toward Alpe d’Huez, so that Pogačar could win and set his record.” So that’s why Pogačar didn’t react when Evenepoel broke away again, Zonneveld argues.

"That's not the case at Visma; it's much more about hatred and envy. We saw it last year, too: Pogačar easily won the Tour, but in the final week he was grumpy and angry, and there were riders on his blacklist. It was much more of a rivalry than what we’ve seen this past week. Perhaps tomorrow he’ll feel a rivalry with Van der Poel to win in Paris.”