**Tadej Pogačar Makes a Shocking Announcement as Five More Riders Withdraw from Tour de France in UAE Team Emirates XRG Blow**
Tour de France favorite Tadej Pogačar delivered a bombshell announcement as UAE Team Emirates XRG confirmed that five more riders have withdrawn from the race, dealing a serious blow to the squad’s GC ambitions.
At an emotional press conference, Pogačar admitted the withdrawals change the entire dynamic of their Tour strategy. “We didn’t see this coming. It’s devastating for the team,” he said. “We’ve worked so hard to prepare, and losing these guys now is a huge setback. But I’m still here to fight.”
The team’s official statement cited a combination of injuries from crashes and respiratory illnesses that have swept through the peloton during the opening stages. The loss of critical support riders leaves Pogačar with a much-reduced domestique squad heading into the punishing mountain stages.
Team principal Mauro Gianetti called the situation “extremely challenging” but reaffirmed the squad’s commitment to backing Pogačar as their sole GC hope. “We know what Tadej is capable of,” Gianetti said. “We’ll do everything we can with the riders we have left.”
Fans and pundits are already debating how the high-profile exits will affect Pogačar’s battle with key rivals in the Alps and Pyrenees. Despite the blow, the Slovenian star promised to keep attacking: “We’ll make the race as exciting as we can. Nothing is finished yet.”
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