Away from the main competition at the Tour de France, American WorldTour team EF Education-EasyPost focuses on securing stage wins. Their squad features standout racers like Ben Healy and Richard Carapaz, alongside breakaway specialists such as Kasper Asgreen. Guided by ex-pro and general manager Jonathan Vaughters, the team's operation resembles a military campaign, emphasizing strategy and logistics.

Vaughters compares the cycling team's dynamics to a battle, highlighting the importance of support staff and the communication chain during races. On the morning of stage 10, which concluded with a thrilling finish where Jonas Vingegaard edged out Tadej Pogacar, EF managed to position Alex Baudin in the breakaway but faced relentless pursuit from UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Pogacar's team.

The financial disparity in cycling poses challenges for teams like EF, with Vaughters noting that UAE's budget could be nearly double that of EF's entire squad. He emphasizes the need for financial fair play to level the playing field, as UAE's resources allow them to attract top talent with ease.

Vaughters also critiques the sport's outdated calendar, suggesting a need for a more strategic approach akin to Formula One to enhance fan engagement. The ongoing climate crisis further complicates matters, with extreme heat impacting racing conditions. Despite these challenges, EF remains hopeful for stage victories in the upcoming mountain stages as they strive to compete more effectively against UAE.