Overview
- UAE named Dominika Włodarczyk and Elisa Longo Borghini as its leaders for the Tour and entered Paula Blasi in a domestique role rather than as a protected contender.
- Blasi arrives in strong physical form after altitude training in Andorra and recovery from a crash in the Spanish national time trial, and she has publicly accepted the support role.
- The team has explicitly told Blasi she should not contest the 21 km Dijon individual time trial or actively pursue stage victories, limiting how she can influence the general classification.
- Journalists link UAE’s restrictions to reported transfer interest in Blasi, especially from Movistar, with past cycling precedents showing contracts can affect team selection and race roles.
- In the Tour’s opening stage Blasi finished 11th and took the white jersey as best young rider, but the team’s strategy so far keeps her working for the designated leaders rather than chasing personal wins.