UAE Team Emirates have confirmed that GC contender Adam Yates will continue to be a protected rider at the Vuelta a España despite losing nearly two minutes on the general classification (GC) in the opening stages. Yates began the race as co-leader with João Almeida and performed well in the stage 1 time trial, losing less than 20 seconds to race leader Primoz Roglič. However, the Briton was one of the favorites who lost the most time in the opening mountain top stage finish at Pico Villuercas, finishing more than 90 seconds behind the Slovenian stage winner. He is now 1:56 behind Roglič in the overall standings.
While his teammate and co-leader João Almeida was up with the front group of seven riders, claiming third place and becoming Roglič's closest pursuer in the Vuelta a España GC standings, just eight seconds behind, UAE team management attributed Yates' difficult day to the extreme heat throughout the stage. Instead of shifting Yates to a super-domestique role, given Almeida's better performance, they are still in favor of a two-pronged attack on the GC.
Explaining that it was the heat that had caused Yates to suffer on terrain that is usually very favorable to him, Matxin said, “Yesterday, for about three hours we were racing at 42 or 43 degrees non-stop and not everybody can handle or assimilate those sorts of temperatures well.”
“Adam suffered in that heat, but he's got good legs. I have no doubt about that. Even if the results are what they are, and he finished 90 seconds down on stage 4.”
Rather than changing their strategy, Matxin stated that they planned to wait until at least stage 9 and the next crucial mountain stage through the foothills of Sierra Nevada to see how they would approach the race with Yates and Almeida.
Yates' GC options remain open, but Matxin acknowledged that there was no doubt who was the top favorite for the 2024 Vuelta a España. “And he's always been there, too. Anybody who's capable of winning what he's won in the Vuelta has to be a reference point and anybody who says the opposite hasn't seen his palmares in this race.
“I think Primož was, is and will be the big favourite and on stage 4 we could see just how convinced he was of his chances.”
While Yates has plenty of opportunities to bounce back in the future, the good news for UAE in the Vuelta was that Almeida performed above expectations on a very steep climb. Riding so well on an ascent which was far from suitable for a rider who specializes in a steady 'diesel motor' pacing strategy in the mountains boded well for the Portuguese star.
“It was the first day, the first contact with the real climbs, let's see how he gets on, this is only just beginning,” Matxin said about the 2023 Giro d'Italia podium finisher, who was the closest GC finisher to Roglič in the opening TT as well.
“We've also got to remember that heat factor as well for Joao, racing at 43 degrees like that makes the stage harder to take as a clear reference point for him,.”
“Let's see how he gets on on Sunday's stage to Sierra Nevada when it'll be hot. Then we'll re-evaluate again when we hit the mountains in the north, which is where the Vuelta will actually be decided.”
Yates' Struggle and Almeida's Rise
The first mountain test at Pico Villuercas didn't find Joxean Matxin's team in ideal shape. Only Joao Almeida was able to somewhat keep up with the best, while Adam Yates fell through and finished 1:29 behind the group of favorites, next to another defeated favorite - Richard Carapaz. This was a difficult situation, but Matxin remains confident that Yates will recover.
“It was also a very special stage. Adam had a hard time in the heat, but he has good legs. I don't doubt that, even though he lost ninety seconds on the climb. I'm an optimist and it can always open the door to a good situation. If a rider loses a minute and a half, he also gets a bit more freedom of movement. We can also look at it in a different, positive way,” he tries to see the glass half full.
Looking Ahead: A Battle for the Lead
The question is whether Yates is still able to put Primoz Roglic under pressure. The Slovenian has made a very strong impression so far and, as a three-time winner, knows how to win the Vuelta. “I think Primoz was already the big favorite before the start,” says Matxin. “In stage four it became clear how confident he was in his own chances. But. It was only the first mountain stage. This is just the beginning.”
While Yates suffered in the first mountain stage, his teammate Almeida was able to catch up to the Slovenian and finish third on the day. The Portuguese follows in the classification just eight seconds behind Roglic and seems the main challenger, but Matxin is cautious. “Let's see how Joao does in Sunday's stage to Sierra Nevada. Then we will re-evaluate, before we go into the mountains in the north. That's where the Vuelta will really be decided.”
Can the UAE Team Emirates Bounce Back?
UAE Team Emirates entered the Vuelta a Espana with a long list of riders who could potentially take on the leader's role. The heat and the challenging terrain of Pico Villuercas have certainly thrown a wrench in the team's plans. However, the team has not lost hope, and they are confident that both Yates and Almeida will be able to make their mark on the race. The Vuelta is a long and arduous race, and there are many opportunities for riders to make up time and change the course of the race. With a strong team and a resilient spirit, UAE Team Emirates will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in the coming stages of the Vuelta a España.
