Imagine training for the Tour de France, only to have overzealous fans turn your ride into a chaotic circus—it's a nightmare pro cyclists like Tadej Pogačar are facing head-on.
The UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad, home to cycling superstar Tadej Pogačar (check out these fun facts: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/21-things-you-didnt-know-about-tadej-pogacar), has started deploying motorcycle outriders to safeguard him during training sessions. This move comes in response to a growing number of disruptive encounters with fans, who sometimes prioritize their own thrills over the riders' safety.
According to UAE team director Matxin Joxean Fernández in an interview with Spanish outlet AS (https://as.com/ciclismo/mas_ciclismo/los-equipos-toman-medidas-con-los-cicloturistas-motos-para-proteger-a-los-profesionales-f202602-n/), these enthusiasts are often chasing social media fame. "It's all about capturing those viral moments for more views—super trendy right now," he explained. But here's where it gets controversial: what starts as excitement can quickly sour. Picture this—a bunch of amateur cyclists swarm the road mid-training, whipping out phones to film. If a pro snaps back because a car is barreling toward them while fans block the lane, guess who ends up vilified online? The cyclist, even though the full context shows they were just dodging danger. It's a classic case of edited clips twisting reality, sparking endless debates on who's really at fault.
Fernández shared a real-world example from their recent training camp in Alicante (pro tip for your own camp: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/fitness/training/ask-a-cycling-coach-big-days-and-rest-days-or-riding-every-day-how-should-i-structure-my-training-camp-or-vacation). "We keep our rides intimate, just eight riders including Tadej, with a moto escorting him from behind," he noted. Larger packs of 20 make it impossible for cars to pass safely, leading to backups. But when fans muscle in, the group balloons, risking everyone's safety. Now, that motorcycle ensures space, letting vehicles flow freely without jams. Smart, right? And this is the part most people miss: it's not about excluding fans, but creating a bubble where pros can focus without constant interruptions.
![Image credit: Strava]
Last week, the Tour de France king (more on the race: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/tour-de-france) took to Strava (are you hooked too? https://www.cyclingweekly.com/fitness/are-you-a-strava-addict-347746) to plead for respect. He'd just dealt with a fan hurling abuse after Pogačar politely asked for a two-minute wait for a photo (details here: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/wait-two-minutes-tadej-pogacar-shares-rude-fan-altercation-calls-for-respect). He's not alone—rival Jonas Vingegaard (fun facts: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/21-things-you-didnt-know-about-jonas-vingegaard) wiped out last month on a descent, trying to shake a persistent follower (story: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/jonas-vingegaard-crashes-during-training-ride-after-being-followed-by-fan). That forced him to skip the UAE Tour, a huge setback. These incidents highlight a tricky balance: fans' admiration versus riders' need for uninterrupted prep.
Wrapping up on a hopeful note, Fernández urged empathy all around. "We need to step into each other's shoes," he said warmly. "If we slip up, we own it and say sorry. Like when Tadej's mid-interview and a fan demands a pic right then—they fume if he asks to hold off. Who's in the right: the impatient asker or the one seeking a brief pause?"
He echoed an Italian saying: put yourself in others' shoes, stay ready to apologize, and keep respect front and center. But tell me, readers—should teams invest more in security like this, or is it fans who need to back off entirely? What's your take on balancing hero worship with safety? Drop your thoughts in the comments—do you side with the pros, the fans, or somewhere in between? Let's discuss!
