The disaster of UAE Team Emirates XRG al Tour of Switzerland 2025 is enriched with some details that come from a rider in the team. Let’s reconstruct the story: at the start of the WorldTour stage race in June, the Emirati team presents itself with the great favourite, João Almeidaand with the idol of the house, Jan Christen. Everything suggests that they will be the great protagonists of the Swiss week, which features several tough stages and a perfect final hill climb for the Portuguese. The first stage, however, is a nightmare for the favored team: in the pouring rain, a breakaway of around twenty riders forms, which includes important names such as Romain Gregoire (later winner of the day), Kevin Vauquelin e Julian Alaphilippe. The UAE Team Emirates XRG he struggles to control and founders far away: the group of favorites arrives just over three minutes behind the winner, putting the general classification at risk. Up to this point it’s just news.
The aspect that remains a little under the radar is the situation within the Emirati team. Because on the last climb of the day, 3 km at 9% with a brow -15 from the finish, the UAE Team Emirates XRG he has already lost all his wingmen and must rely only on João Almeida and Jan Christen. But neither of them clearly wants to take a shot and compromise their chances. The Swiss, according to what has been reconstructed, refuses to collaborate at the head of the group of favorites and even attacks alone. The Portuguese will do the same shortly after. Neither of the two actions, obviously, will be successful. And just to add a little extra spice at the end of the stage Michael Bjerg he declared to TV2: “I was very surprised by his attack. It’s nice to see that he has good legs. It’s a bit of a shame that he didn’t find a way to help us too, but that’s how things are…”. A clear, precise, well-aimed dig.
As the race continues, João Almeida he then managed to recover ground, to the point of winning the general classification by undermining Vauquelin from the first position right in the last stage. Jan Christenhowever, he retired in the sixth fraction. The final victory may have healed (at least in part) the internal disagreements, but something happened within the team. Also because, for those with a good memory, the two had already shared a victory: it was February 2025 and in the second stage of the Volta ao Algarve Jan Christen he had attacked from the group of favourites, of which he was also part Jonas Vingegaard. Shortly after, too João Almeida he had left, returning on his companion. Despite being in the home race, the Portuguese had left the success to his younger teammate.
Now CyclingUpToDate returns to the story of Tour of Switzerland reporting the statements of a runner of theUAE Team Emirates XRG who remains anonymous. And this unknown cyclist recalls the Volta ao Algarve episode to begin his analysis of what happened in the Swiss race: “If it had been me, I would certainly have returned the favor. From what I know, Jan wanted to start the Tour of Switzerland as the leader for the general classification“. Things, however, got complicated already during that chaotic first stage: “Then with the rain and everything only João and Jan remained. João told Jan to shoot and Jan said ‘No, I won’t’. Then João attacked, angry“.
The two then attacked at different times, without working for each other, losing more than 3 minutes on some possible rivals for the general classification. In the end, the Portuguese’s success put everything back in order, but a few rags at home UAE Team Emirates XRG it sure flew in those days. A little curiosity, to spice up the ending of this story even more: yes João Almeida is Jan Christen they should be on the way Giro d’Italia 2026. In the pink race, at least on paper, the roles should be well defined.
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