Tour de France Health Scare: Pogacar's Team Battles Illness 2026

The Tour de France race leader Tadej Pogacar is facing a growing health crisis as a virus sweeps through his UAE Team Emirates XRG squad. With just days remaining in the world’s most famous cycling race, the illness threatens to unravel Pogacar's commanding lead over rivals like Remco Evenepoel.

Illness Sweeps Through UAE Team Emirates

Since Monday’s rest day, several members of Pogacar’s team have fallen ill. Adam Yates endured a long, painful struggle on the road to Voiron during stage 18. Later, American rider Brandon McNulty abandoned the race with 21 kilometers remaining, citing both illness and injuries sustained when he was hit by a car during a reconnaissance ride. Tim Wellens and Florian Vermeersch also showed signs of struggle on the five-categorized-climb stage, and Wellens admitted he had a sore throat.

Speaking after the stage, Pogacar expressed concern: “I’m sad that Brandon could not finish. We will see in the next two days but Adam is getting better, and tomorrow we will go with the flow. I think we can manage. We will keep fighting and I believe we can do it.”

Impact on the Yellow Jersey Competition

Despite Pogacar’s 4-minute 32-second lead over Evenepoel, the timing of this sickness is especially dangerous. Friday and Saturday feature grueling mountain-top finishes on Alpe d’Huez. The Tour’s third week is already punishing, and a weakened team reduces Pogacar’s tactical options. The decision to swap his usual yellow shorts for black raised further speculation about the extent of the illness within the team.

Key Facts About the Situation

How Richard Carapaz Won Stage 18

Meanwhile, Richard Carapaz of Ecuador won stage 18 after a breakaway group of six riders dueled their way to the winter sports station at Orcières-Merlette. The former Giro d’Italia champion narrowly avoided a collision with an errant fan earlier in the stage but recovered to launch a gutsy solo attack. It was his second mountain stage victory at the Tour, following a win at nearby Superdévoluy in 2024.

What’s Next for Pogacar?

The next two days will be pivotal. Pogacar’s team must manage the illness while defending the yellow jersey on the steep climbs of the Alps. Evenepoel and other contenders will be watching closely for any sign of weakness. If the virus continues to spread, the dynamic of the race could shift dramatically.

Key Takeaways

• A virus has hit UAE Team Emirates XRG after Monday’s rest day, affecting multiple riders including Brandon McNulty (abandoned), Adam Yates, Tim Wellens, and Florian Vermeersch.
• Pogacar holds a 4m 32s lead but faces doubts about team support for the upcoming mountain stages on Alpe d’Huez.
• Richard Carapaz won stage 18, adding pressure on Pogacar’s rivals to exploit any vulnerability.
• The Tour’s third week is traditionally brutal, and a weakened team could open the door for a comeback from Remco Evenepoel or Jonas Vingegaard.

FAQ

Stay tuned for live updates and analysis as the Tour de France enters its final battle in the Alps. Will Pogacar hold on to yellow or will illness change the race? Only time—and the mountain climbs—will tell.