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Tadej Pogačar continues to dominate the headlines at the 2024 UAE Tour with his unpredictable and aggressive racing style. For the second consecutive day, the race leader launched an audacious move, this time attacking with 150km to go on stage 5. Alongside UAE Team Emirates teammate Domen Novak, Pogačar sparked chaos in the peloton, prompting a frantic chase and resulting in the fastest stage in the race’s history.
Pogačar’s early attack, reminiscent of a similar move in last year’s Volta a Catalunya, was initially intended as a lighthearted effort. However, it quickly escalated into a serious breakaway after several riders, including defending UAE Tour champion Lennert Van Eetvelt, bridged across. The 11-man group built a lead of over two and a half minutes before being reeled in with 39km remaining, setting the stage for a bunch sprint won by Tim Merlier of Soudal Quick-Step.
Pogačar’s escapades are not merely about winning stages or races; they reflect his philosophy of racing as a form of playful competition. “It was just a funny moment,” he said after the stage, comparing it to his Catalunya antics in 2023, when he and Novak hid in bushes after an early attack. While UAE Team Emirates’ primary goal is to secure overall victory in their home race, Pogačar’s long-term focus remains on bigger objectives, including the Tour de France. His teammates suggest that his aggressive style is also a way to ensure he gets the necessary intensity in his early-season preparation.
Novak, who spent over 100km in the break, explained that the move was partly driven by boredom during the flat stages. “When it’s not windy, it’s a bit boring,” he said, adding that such efforts help maintain race sharpness. Teammate Mikkel Bjerg emphasized that Pogačar’s engine thrives on hard efforts, suggesting that staying in the peloton would be too easy for him.
For Van Eetvelt, joining the breakaway was more about enjoyment than strategy. He acknowledged that the move was “quite stupid” but said it was a fun way to break the monotony of the race. Despite the break being caught, he praised Pogačar’s strength, noting that the Slovenian is “always strong.”
The peloton, wary of Pogačar’s ability to pull off seemingly impossible feats—as he did in last year’s World Championships—reacted swiftly to bring the breakaway back. Merlier, the stage winner, admitted he was surprised by the early move but credited the collective effort of the sprinters’ teams in neutralizing the threat.
Pogačar’s lighthearted approach to racing was further evident in his post-stage comments. He revealed that his attack was partly motivated by a bet with teammate Florian Vermeersch, who agreed to get a turtle tattoo if Pogačar won the stage. While the bet didn’t materialize on Friday, it underscores the playful camaraderie within the UAE Team Emirates squad.
Pogačar’s antics at the UAE Tour highlight his unique blend of competitiveness and joie de vivre. While his rivals may find his unpredictable style unnerving, it’s clear that he races not just to win but to enjoy the sport. As he continues to build form ahead of the spring classics and the Tour de France, his UAE Tour performance serves as a reminder of why he remains one of the most exciting riders in professional cycling.
