UAE Team Emirates' tactics in Tour de France labeled a cover‑up by Geraint Thomas

Former INEOS leader Geraint Thomas told a podcast that the UAE Team Emirates' claim of riding for the team classification is merely a pretext for their race tactics. He pointed to stage 9, when the team said they were targeting the team classification, and stage 10, when UAE rider Adam Yates lost four minutes after being dropped, arguing that a true team‑class effort would keep the third rider in the lead group.

Thomas added that the UAE squad recently helped shrink the gap between Lidl‑Trek and the race leaders, with Brandon McNulty and Tim Wellens moving forward in the front group. He emphasized that he understands the pressure of being blocked by dominant teams, referencing his own experience with Sky/INEOS.

The remarks have sparked discussion about the legitimacy of the team's tactics in the ongoing Tour de France.