<\/p>\n
\u201cWe lost teammates quite early on. One rider crashed on the first climb quite quickly, and after that we managed things as best we could. It was a bit chaotic, especially with the weather.\u201d<\/p>\n
Freedom in chaos, clarity at the front<\/p>\n
Rather than following a rigid hierarchy, UAE opted for flexibility as the race splintered. Cosnefroy explained that the team deliberately left space for whoever found themselves in the right position once the race finally broke open.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, we had quite a lot of freedom today. With the weather like this, it was really whoever found themselves at the front who would be able to play for the win.\u201d<\/p>\n
That freedom ultimately played into Morgado\u2019s hands. The young Portuguese rider was one of the strongest figures once the race was reduced to a select front group on the final climbs, and he finished the job with a perfectly judged sprint to take the victory.<\/p>\n
Cosnefroy, meanwhile, was active but missed the critical split that decided the race. \u201cEarlier in the race I was able to contribute to the team effort. I tried to make the move when five riders went clear at the bottom of the descent, and I was quite active at that point, but I didn\u2019t manage to get into that move. That\u2019s how it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite that disappointment, the overriding emotion remained positive. Morgado\u2019s win, delivered in just his second race with UAE and on his birthday, was a moment Cosnefroy was quick to highlight.<\/p>\n
\u201cAntonio was very strong, like last week in Spain. It didn\u2019t really show then, but he was very strong. So he wins this race beautifully on his birthday, and I think you can\u2019t ask for anything better.\u201d<\/p>\n