Overview

• During Stage 16 at Mont Ventoux, Politt impeded breakaway attempts after Pogacar’s mid-stage toilet stop to maintain control of the race.
• Former pro Thomas Voeckler condemned Politt’s conduct as condescending “abhorrent behavior” in televised remarks.
• Politt told Sporza he reacted because he had been taught to keep the peloton calm when the yellow jersey pauses.
• Pogacar argued that pursuing every tactical edge differs from arrogance and briefly told critics to “shut up” before retracting the remark.
• The episode has reignited debate over unwritten peloton etiquette and domestiques’ role under heightened UCI safety scrutiny.