UAE Team Emirates Tactical Analysis: How to Build the Perfect Protective Shield Around Pogačar

In modern professional cycling, individual brilliance certainly matters, but what often decides the outcome is the collective intelligence and selfless dedication of an entire team. UAE Team Emirates’ success is a perfect example of individual talent combined with collective execution. This Emirati-sponsored team has built a precise and highly efficient race-day protection system around Tadej Pogačar, allowing “Pogi” to perform at his best in every decisive stage.

Team Structure and Role Division

UAE Team Emirates employs a clear division of roles, with each rider performing a specific function in different race scenarios:

Three-Phase Mountain Protection Strategy

On high-mountain stages, UAE’s protection strategy unfolds in three phases, with precision comparable to a military operation:

Phase 1 (30–50 km from the summit): Collective Pace Control

• Team domestiques set the pace at the front of the peloton, keeping the team in the most advantageous position (top 10–15)
• Avoiding the danger of being caught in splits or exploited by rivals
• McNulty or Bjerg pulls at 450–500 W on 3–5% gradients, gradually shedding weaker riders from the back of the peloton

Phase 2 (10–20 km from the summit): Focused Escort

• Remaining domestiques (usually Yates or Hirschi) continue escorting Pogačar as the gradient steepens
• Ensuring Pogačar does not waste extra energy fighting crosswinds or following wheels before the attack
• If Pogačar is in exceptional form, the team may deliberately accelerate the pace to force rivals to show their cards early

Phase 3 (Final 3–5 km): Going It Alone

• Pogačar typically fights alone in the final 3–5 km
• His tactical options are extremely flexible: he may surge suddenly after a sharp corner, or wait until the steepest section to unleash
• The team continuously reports time gaps to rivals via race radio, helping Pogačar decide when to attack

Collective Execution in Sprint Stages

Even though Pogačar is known for his climbing, UAE also has a complete strategy for sprint stages:

• If the stage has little impact on the general classification, the team preserves Pogačar’s energy and lets other riders (such as Hirschi) sprint
• If there are points at stake (such as intermediate sprints), McNulty or Bjerg lead Pogačar out for sprint points
• On special stages like the Champs-Élysées, the entire team shifts to a pure lead-out train, ensuring Pogačar avoids crashing in the chaos

Team Radio and Data Command

Tactical execution in modern professional teams relies heavily on real-time data:

• Team Director (DS, Directeur Sportif): Sits in the follow car, directing on-road strategy via radio
• GPS Tracking: Each rider’s position, speed, and power are transmitted in real time to the support car behind
• Rival Monitoring: Analysts simultaneously track the roster attrition of rival teams such as Jumbo-Visma and Ineos
• Weather Forecasts: Real-time updates on summit temperatures and crosswinds determine whether extra warm clothing is needed on descents

The 2024 Challenge: Two Leaders Side by Side

As Juan Ayuso has grown into a GC rider capable of leading his own campaign, UAE has begun facing the challenge of a “dual-leader strategy.” At the 2024 Giro, Ayuso performed excellently as team leader, while Pogačar displayed overwhelming dominance at the Tour de France. This flexible “A-team / B-team” allocation allows UAE to compete for the highest honors across multiple races simultaneously, but it also tests the decision-making wisdom of team management.

A Perspective for Taiwanese Riders: Team-Building Logic from Amateur to Pro

While UAE’s collective tactics go beyond what amateur riders can directly apply, the core logic—clear role division, selfless support for the leader, and pace control as a priority—applies equally to amateur teams or climbing squads in Taiwan.

• In a group ride, taking turns at the front pulling wind is the most basic form of selflessness
• In mountain training, riders with strong pacing ability setting the tempo for others helps the whole group improve faster
• Knowing your role (am I a climber, sprinter, or rouleur?) makes training more targeted

Conclusion

UAE Team Emirates’ success tells us that world-class sports teams do not rely on a single genius alone, but on a precise system built around that genius. Pogačar is certainly the brightest star, but without the selfless contributions of every UAE rider, his brilliance would not shine so brightly. This is the most fascinating part of professional cycling—an individual race that conceals the most profound collective story.

Related Reading

• UAE Team Emirates’ Training Philosophy: How a Top Team Builds Champions
• All for One: How UAE Team Emirates XRG Builds Around Pogačar—A 2026 Season Case Study
• Tadej Pogačar Training Philosophy Analysis: The Slovenian Prodigy’s Aggressive Riding Style and Scientific Preparation
• How Are Pro Team Bikes Decided? A Look at the Three-Way Tug-of-War Behind Pogačar’s Sponsorship Deals