Tadej Pogacar, although he is not competing in the Vuelta, remains present in the race in a certain way. The Slovenian rider abandoned a week ago, leaving his team in shock, but his legacy remains visible. In the UAE Team Emirates bus, little plush toys circulate that he earned by climbing to the podium every day during his victories.
The team's current situation is delicate. Only four riders remain in competition, which makes it extremely complicated to fight for stage wins or recover from the emotional impact caused by the loss of their main star.
Despite the difficulties, the team continues trying each day. Pogacar's abandonment represented a hard blow to the team's aspirations, but the four remaining cyclists continue forward in the competition, seeking results within the adverse circumstances.
