Pogacar doesn't bat an eye over Ayuso's withdrawal, unfazed by Yates' breakaway, and why did he finish ninth?

Juan Ayuso had to withdraw at the beginning of the thirteenth Tour stage on Friday. The 21-year-old Spaniard riding for UAE-Team Emirates was dealing with a COVID-19 infection but started the race day anyway. However, he was quickly spotted at the back of the pack and dropped out after about fifteen kilometers. Bad news for Tadej Pogacar? UAE-Team Emirates shrugged it off.

On the fourth day, Ayuso impressed during the stage over the Galibier with a third-place finish in the stage results. He also rode an excellent time trial and was in fifth place in the standings when the eleventh stage through the Central Massif was completed. Ayuso dropped to ninth place due to a bad day. "That can happen on that terrain. If you're a little short, you immediately pay the price when you're on demanding terrain," he said at the time.

On the eve of the thirteenth stage, he was still confident that everything would be fine. "I'm calm. I know what's causing it and how to fix it. It would be a dream to win a stage myself, but that depends on my role within the team. We're here to win the Tour, and Tadej feels very good."

The ambitious statements didn't come to fruition on Friday when reports quickly emerged that Ayuso had withdrawn. It seems like a significant loss for yellow jersey holder Pogacar. Ayuso was ninth in the standings and a crucial helper for the Slovenian. "Losing Juan is a big blow for us. He was one of the last three riders for Tadej," team manager Mauro Gianetti told Eurosport after the race.

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UAE-Team Emirates might need to adjust tactics

"I am a bit disappointed, but it is what it is," Ayuso himself told Spanish media. "I had been struggling for a few days and felt really bad on Thursday. We did a COVID-19 test, and it came back positive. We wanted to see how it would go today, but I felt bad and had to step off. Now we will evaluate what to do next. The Olympics are coming up, and I hope to be there after a few days off the bike. I started this Tour well, but then everything turned. I want to wish my teammates a lot of success, and I will cheer them on from the TV."

On day four on the Galibier, Ayuso and João Almeida were the ones pushing the pace. That tactic will have to be executed by others in the Pyrenees on Saturday and Sunday. "However, with Adam Yates and João, we still have two men in good form, so we can keep playing our game," said Gianetti. Pogacar agreed: "Juan had to withdraw due to illness, but the rest is fine. It's a shame to lose a teammate like that. I expected a key role for Juan in the mountains. But it's not such a big setback considering that João and Adam are flying. They are more than enough in the mountains. Soler and Sivakov ride well on all terrains, and Tim Wellens and Nils Politt are also growing in this Tour. Everyone is good."

Gianetti asserts that UAE remains a strong team for the Pyrenees, where Pogacar will face Jonas Vingegaard. "It's good to see Jonas in his current form. We knew already knew on San Luca that he is at one hundred percent. However, Tadej is also very good. If there's a chance to attack, we will, but it's not necessary. We can also control the race. Tadej knows when and how he can and should attack, just like Jonas and Remco know."