As we enter the Alps, Tadej Pogačar’s path to a fourth Tour de France victory appears fairly straightforward, serene almost. But within the peloton, backlash appears to be building towards the dominant world champion – and the allegedly “arrogant” behaviour of his UAE Team Emirates squad.

On Wednesday morning, one of Pogačar’s key domestiques, Nils Politt, was accused of bullying after he was seen angrily shouting and gesticulating at several riders, including Movistar’s Spanish champion Ivan Romeo, who were trying to get into the breakaway ahead of the summit finish on Mont Ventoux, during a frenetic first hour of racing.

Former pro and current French national team coach Thomas Voeckler was among those to criticise the Germann’s attitude, which he described as “detestable”.

“There’s no worse attitude, in an arrogant way,” Voeckler, reporting on the race from the motorbike for France television, said.

“It’s often the domestiques, not the leaders, who show up like that. I can’t stand riders who try to lay down the law, under the pretext that they are stronger or in big teams. That’s a detestable attitude. Not so long ago, he was struggling in the mountains.”

However, speaking at the start of stage 17 in Bollène, Politt played down the incident, arguing that he shouted at riders who had tried to move off the front while Pogačar had stopped for a natural break, breaking cycling’s traditional unwritten rule that you don’t attack the race leader when he’s having a pee.

“It was nothing special,” the German domestique said. “We wanted to control the breakaway, and there was a breakaway with one minute, 20 seconds.

“He’s the yellow jersey, and after he stopped, half the peloton stopped. Tadej and I were the first riders to return to the peloton but then they started attacking again, but there were still 30 to 40 riders behind.

“I’ve always been taught that the racing eases when the yellow jersey stops to pee. No one attacks then, but apparently we still have to learn the new rule.”

Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, Mont Ventoux, stage 16, 2025 Tour de France
Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, Mont Ventoux, stage 16, 2025 Tour de France (Image Credit: ASO/Billy Ceusters)

Nevertheless, it’s clear that UAE Team Emirates’ general approach to controlling the race has rubbed some in the peloton up the wrong way.

TotalEnergies’ manager Jean-René Bernaudeau also accused Pogačar’s team of arrogance this week, branding Politt’s actions “disrespectful”.

“Something is going on, the big boys want to crush the little boys. We have to condemn that,” Bernaudeau said.

“Everyone is free, we don’t wear the same jersey. We don’t defend the same interests. If there’s a little dignity. What’s more, it’s being caught on camera.

“Pogačar can’t be blamed, he’s a good leader. Like Bernard Hinault was to me. But the domestiques are arrogant towards those who want to break away.

“They’re arrogant towards those who just want to live simply alongside them. I expect their team manager to make that point to them.”

Vingegaard and Pogačar on stage 14 of 2025 Tour de France
Vingegaard and Pogačar on stage 14 of 2025 Tour de France (Image Credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

Pogačar was asked about this criticism of his team in his post-stage press conference in Valence on Wednesday.

“I mean, arrogance is one thing, trying to win the Tour de France is another thing,” the world champion.

“I think a lot of riders would see us as arrogant because we want to control every single kilometre of this race. We tried to calm things down.

“We don’t try to be arrogant, we just try to make our race as easy as possible. I think – and this will sound super arrogant – but some guys can stay quiet.”

The critical questions aimed at UAE Team Emirates weren’t confined to the racing on the road, however.

With protests a recurring feature of this Tour, last week’s anti-Israel course invasion being followed by a pro-Palestine display during yesterday’s stage, Pogačar was asked about his thoughts on UAE’s human rights record and their role in the sport.

“I ride for UAE Team Emirates and if you go there, you’ll see how the sport is growing,” he said.

“Kids love us, the locals love us when we ride with them. The sport is growing in the UAE, which I guess is why they have the team, to promote a healthy lifestyle.”