Tour de France worries emerge for Tadej Pogacar after illness sweeps through team
Tour de France leader Tadej Pogacar faces uncertainty as a virus sweeps through his UAE Team Emirates squad. The team has already lost rider Brandon McNulty, raising concerns about their ability to defend the lead in the final mountain stages.
Why it matters
The health of the race leader and his support team directly impacts the outcome of one of the world's most prestigious sporting events.
Tadej Pogacar (second left) rides with his UAE Team Emirates colleagues on Thursday’s stage. Tadej Pogacar (second left) rides with his UAE Team Emirates colleagues on Thursday’s stage. Tour de France 2026 Tour de France worries emerge for Tadej Pogacar after illness sweeps through team Richard Carapaz roars clear of breakaway to win stage 18
McNulty abandons, Wellens and Vermeersch struggle
Prefer the Guardian on Google Richard Carapaz won stage 18 of the Tour de France after a breakaway group of six riders duelled their way to the winter sports station at Orcières-Merlette, but uncertainty surrounds the health of race leader Tadej Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates XRG, which has been swept by a virus since Monday’s rest day.
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