Before the Tour exploded with joy for the record of Mark Cavendish, in France there were two main topics: Pogacar's feat and the “Galibier controversy”, that has seen protagonists Joao almeida e Juan Ayuso.
At 2.642 metres of the famous pass, the heart of the fourth stage, it seems that the Spanish talent has been a bit slow, Let's put it this way. He didn't fully respect the instructions that had been given. Tadej Pogacar said that he didn't attack earlier because of the wind, but it seems that his late attack was also the result of an unexpected management of the final part of the race. UAE Emirates.
The fact
But first things first. La UAE Emirates He faces Lautaret and Galibier really strong. Every time another man passes in front, the pace increases and the group crumbles. When they turn for the final 8,3 kilometers of the Galibier, the toughest ones, in order, come into play: Sivakov, Adam Yates, then Almeida and Ayuso. The latter two, given the wind, have to alternate until 3 kilometers (or a little less) from the summit. Too bad that Only Joao Almeida was able to shoot, while Ayuso was right behind captain Pogacar.
Hence Almeida's dramatic gesture inviting Ayuso to come forward. Moral: the pace drops, proof is the fact that Roglic, who was breaking away, escaped. Not only that, but Pogacar, who had expected a certain tactic, delayed his attack, attacked a kilometer from the Galibier, and ultimately gained "only" 10 seconds at the summit. He himself said he would have liked to attack earlier, but blamed the wind.
Martinelli's opinion
What would have happened if the Slovenian had started earlier? Would he have earned more? vingegaard Would he have developed more lactic acid without that "slowdown"? And how do you manage certain situations in a team?
It's well known that Ayuso isn't an easy character. He's a champion in his DNA, and perhaps he can't even fully conceive of the role of a gregarious player. And for this reason, his attitude may not even be entirely intentional.
We talked about all this with Joseph Martinelli, One of the most experienced sporting directors. If not the most experienced of all.
Giuseppe, what do you think of Tuesday's situation?
When you have a strong team like now, UAE Emirates, a similar situation can happen. They were at full speed, and Almeida let slip that sudden gesture. It can happen. And then let's not forget that he's not a real domestique either. He's an excellent rider who's acting as a domestique. So it makes sense that... turning around and seeing the calm "boy" behind him, he got angryIt's not nice, but it can happen.
But then when Ayuso passed, the pace slowed a bit. At least that's how it seemed...
Yes, that's true. It was obvious he was shooting with half a leg, not two. But I want to say, if not a point in his favor, at least give him a mitigating factor. Juan Ayuso is a real talent and it's not easy for him to make himself available either. They brought him to the Tour to learn... but learn well. I think we'll see him in his place from the next climbing day. Among other things, but these are just rumors, to be clear, there are rumors that he'd like to change teams. I believe that if there is something, the way to put everything right will be found or has already been found by the one who wears the yellow jersey.
Do you think Pogacar said something to him after the Galibier stage?
For me, yes. It makes them understand that everyone has to work equally. That they're a team. His words mean a lot. But I repeat, these things happen. Maybe they've already put things back in order. When you make strategies, things can change. For example, I noticed that Adam Yates spoke on the radio twice before taking the shot. I think he told his teammates, "Let me shoot now, because I'm not great." So something in tactics always changes. So it was the other way around with Almeida, who entered the game later. Only then, when the Portuguese turned around and saw that the other wasn't there, he got upset.
Maybe Ayuso didn't have any…
But he arrived with the first. If you've really done your job you won't get this far. Not even the best Kwiatkowski, not even Van Aert, after doing what they had to do, stayed with the best. And I don't think he's even better than these giants.
As we said, it seems, the conditional is a must, that Pogacar should have started 3 kilometers from the summit, where there is a very tough section…
And that's fine. I know that climb very well and in fact there is a very tough 500-meter section. I don't know... maybe in hindsight it turned out better for him this way.
I mean, what do you mean?
If Pogacar had started earlier, he would have done so less violently, and perhaps Vingegaard would have caught up with him and never left him. Instead, he realized he had to give him a hard blow and not let him stick to his wheel. In those two stages, between Galibier and San Luca, he understood this and tried. Also because that would make him overrev, make him struggle... Because be careful: Vingegaard has made an impressive recovery and if he improves in the third week he might become the strongest. So instead he put it back in its place a bit.
Clear…
I don't know what numbers Tadej did, they must have been incredible, but The Galibier is a crazy feat. I've never seen Pogacar this strong. And in my opinion, even in the time trial, the gaps between the two won't be that wide as last year. In fact, I think Pogacar can even win the time trial. Maybe he will. Remco, another phenomenon, but they will all be close.
Last question, “Martino”: if you were the sporting director of the UAE What would you have told your kids?
I would have gathered them at the table and said to Ayuso: «Boy, do what we told you to do. You have a task. If everyone has a mile to go, that mile falls to you too."
