Mauro Gianetti, manager of UAE Team Emirates, won the yellow jersey after Adam Yates won the first stage of the Tour de France in Bilbao.

Gianetti was ridiculed after suggesting that Yates was co-team leader with Pogachar. Some denied that it was a simple mind game to upset Vingegaard and Jambovisma.

Perhaps some did not understand the subtleties of Gianetti's leadership gameplay, but he was proven right in Bilbao as UAE Team Emirates won the opening round of a 21-stage prize fight with their big rivals.

Last year, Jumbo-Visma managed to beat Pogachar on the Alpine stage to Col de Granon, with Vingegaard and teammate Primoš Roglic taking turns attacking the isolated Slovenian.

This year's UAE Team Emirates had more strategic options, which they exploited in the first stage. Yates forced a choice at the top of the Côte de Paix and escaped with his brother while Pogachar chased the rest of the field. Vingegaard had to sit on Pogachar's wheel and wait for his teammate to come back to the front, but their chase was in vain, and Adam and Simon were able to pull away to take the win and the first yellow jersey for UAE Team Emirates.

"It's not about how many riders you have at the front, it's about the quality and use of them," Gianetti told Cycling News.

"Two leaders are better than one. That was evident in the first stage. Adam was impressive and deserved his chance up front.

"It also confirmed that Taddei is in good shape. It was a perfect day for us.

UAE Team Emirates and Jumbo-Visma have been battling for supremacy for two years now, and their psychological and strategic moves will intensify in 2023.

Both teams are hoping to win the Tour and top the world rankings. This has led to last-minute team announcements for major races, sudden roster changes, hidden team leader forms, and, of course, intense racing.

Jumbo Visma won the Giro d'Italia with Roglic, but has Vingegaard as leader at the Tour. Sepp Kuss, Wilco Kelderman, and Wout Van Aert are not team leaders, but support.

UAE Team Emirates has two leaders. Yates is clearly a step below Pogachar, but is in good form, trusted by the team management, and fully protected by his teammates.

Giannetti was sincere in explaining UAE Team Emirates' concerns about Pogachar's Tour form after he broke his wrist in Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

"With a great rider like Taddei, he is the natural leader, but after crashing and being off the bike for a few weeks, you can't just enter the Tour and hope for the best.

"Six weeks ago, I honestly didn't know how Taddei was going to be at the Tour. So we needed a replacement."

"Adam had a great early season and fit in well with the team. He and Tadej got along really well over the next few months, so I asked him to step up and switch from being an important support rider to a second leader role.

"Having a second leader and protected rider like Adam is a huge advantage for us. He can play a big role in the race and in team tactics. Call it psychological gamesmanship, but we know he is a great rider and will make a difference. He already has done so