The UAE Team uses a motorcycle to protect Pogačar during his training sessions

The UAE Team Emirates-XRG has begun using a support motorcycle to protect Tadej Poga?ar during his road training sessions. This measure, adopted in the latest training camps in Spain, responds to several recent incidents related to fans getting too close to the world champion while he rides on roads open to traffic.

A motorcycle behind Poga?ar: how UAE manages fan pressure

The decision comes after a series of uncomfortable situations that have reopened the debate about the boundaries between the proximity of professional cycling and respect for the riders' workspace. Poga?ar publicly reported a few days ago, via Strava, an encounter with a fan on the Valencian coast, where he recounted that he asked for "two minutes" to finish a conversation before taking a photo and received an offensive gesture in response.

In statements to the AS newspaper during the UAE Tour, the team's manager, Joxean Fernández 'Matxin', explained the context of this measure: "This is a matter of moments and more visibility, something that is very trendy. I have seen very complicated situations, where many cyclists, out of excitement, start recording in the middle of the road. If at that moment a cyclist gives you a bad response because you see a car coming head-on while you are invading the opposite lane, possibly the one who ends up in trouble is the one who gives that response, when the context is totally different. What we see is what seems right or wrong to us. Sometimes we do not contextualize the situation that all this entails."

RECOMENDADO

New Gravel Factor seen in competition

10 years and 10 million dollars: Shimano accelerates and expands its project to create MTB trails

The Specialized Levo 4 increases in power with a simple update from your mobile

Art on Carbon: Specialized launches three unique and numbered Tarmac SL8 bikes

Banyoles brings together the best XCO in the world again: favorites, schedules, and how to watch

Start at 58.8 km/h and a 68t chainring: Evenepoel's winning formula in the UAE Tour time trial

The use of the motorcycle is not aimed at isolating Poga?ar from the fans, but rather at organizing traffic and avoiding dangerous situations. As Matxin detailed, the team usually trains in small groups of eight riders to facilitate vehicles overtaking without causing delays. The problem arises when cyclists join the group, increasing its size and complicating traffic management.

"An example of situations we have had during the training camp in Alicante: we have gone with a motorcycle to defend Tadej, because we make small groups. If you make groups of 20, the cars behind cannot overtake them. So we make groups of 8, but if cyclists join in, they become too numerous. In the end, who tells them if they can come or that we need to make groups of 8 to prevent this from happening? Who has the correct measuring stick to not disturb the cyclist, the cars, and ensure everyone feels respected? Now what we do is put a motorcycle behind Tadej so that there is respect for that small group and cars can pass without creating a traffic jam of kilometers."

From the UAE, they defend that the motorcycle acts as a deterrent and as protection against vehicles approaching from behind, especially on narrow roads or with reduced visibility.

The debate is not exclusive to the Emirati team. Just a few weeks ago, Jonas Vingegaard suffered a fall during a training session on the descent of the Fuente de la Reina in Málaga when he was followed by a cyclist. The Dane increased his pace on the descent intending to distance himself and ended up losing control. Although there were no serious injuries, Team Visma | Lease a Bike publicly requested respect and space for their riders on open roads.

Both cases, although different in their outcomes—one ended in a fall and the other in a verbal clash—reflect a growing trend due to the constant exposure of peloton figures in the social media era.

Unlike other sports, professional cycling shares the stage with fans on open roads. This proximity is part of its essence, but it also generates friction when different interests collide, as for the recreational cyclist it is leisure; for the professional, it is work.

Matxin concluded his reflection by appealing to mutual empathy and common sense.