Tadej Pogacar's quest for a fifth Tour de France championship faces an unexpected challenge as a wave of illness appears to be affecting his UAE Team Emirates XRG squad. Despite holding a significant lead, the team's performance during recent stages has raised concerns about the health of key riders, just as the most demanding mountain tests loom.
Tour de France Leader's Team Grapples with Illness Ahead of Crucial Stages
As of Friday, July 24, 2026, Tadej Pogacar, the formidable leader of the Tour de France, finds his commanding position potentially jeopardized by a pervasive sickness bug within his UAE Team Emirates XRG. Pogacar, who had maintained a dominant lead of nearly five minutes, has seen his team's usual robust presence in the mountains diminish, particularly during Thursday's Stage 18 to Orcieres-Merlette. This shift in team dynamics follows a period where Pogacar had virtually controlled the race from its inception.
The impact of the illness became critically apparent when Brandon McNulty, a vital team member, was forced to withdraw from the race mid-stage due to a sore throat. Adam Yates, another crucial lieutenant, has also been battling illness throughout the week, significantly affecting his performance. Even Pogacar himself fueled speculation about his condition by opting for black shorts instead of his customary yellow, a subtle but noticeable deviation. Nils Pollitt and Felix Grossschartner now bear increased responsibility to support Pogacar and Isaac del Toro through the challenging final stages. Del Toro, despite also being part of the affected team, has notably slipped in the chase for second place behind Pogacar, currently held by Remco Evenepoel.
The race now hurtles towards its most defining moments with two consecutive mountain stages culminating in the iconic Alpe d'Huez. Stage 19, a grueling 127.9km route from Gap to the summit of Alpe d'Huez, features a final ascent stretching 13.8km with an average gradient of eight percent. The peloton will face this formidable climb again on Saturday, a day that also includes the formidable Col du Galibier, the highest peak of this year's Tour. These critical stages, compounded by the ongoing health challenges within UAE Team Emirates XRG, create a dramatic narrative as Pogacar strives to clinch his fifth title.
The unfolding situation within UAE Team Emirates XRG highlights the immense physical and mental resilience required in professional cycling, especially during a Grand Tour. It serves as a stark reminder that even the most dominant athletes and teams are vulnerable to external factors like illness. Pogacar's leadership and his team's ability to adapt and overcome these adversities in the face of such high stakes will undoubtedly be a testament to their character and determination. The next few days promise to be a thrilling and unpredictable conclusion to what has been an extraordinary Tour de France.
