Barcelona: Led by the four-time defending champion Tadej Pogacar, UAE Team Emirates-XRG announced its eight-strong lineup for the 113th Tour de France. The Emirati squad will consist of Pogacar, Isaac del Toro, Felix GroŸschartner, Brandon McNulty, Nils Politt, Florian Vermeersch, Tim Wellens, and Adam Yates.
According to Emirates News Agency, combining an all-star ensemble of rouleurs and climbers, the experienced team will hope to support Pogacar's ambitions of taking his third Tour title on the bounce. Should he do so, the two-time world champion would equal the record of five Tour de France victories, joining an exclusive club that contains Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indur¡in.
Three weeks of the toughest racing of the season stand between Pogacar and that goal, but the Slovenian will head into this year's race fresh from victories at both the Tour de Romandie and the Tour de Suisse. Looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead, Pogacar spoke of his motivation to put all the months of preparation to good use in July.
Pogacar expressed that the Tour de France is always the biggest challenge of the season and also the race that motivates the team the most. He noted that every year, competitors arrive at the start knowing that anything can happen over three weeks, and that's what makes it so special. He emphasized the team's thorough preparation and the excitement to finally get started in Barcelona.
He added that he feels good, looks forward to racing, and is confident in the fantastic group of teammates and staff around him. The team has a lot of confidence in each other and has built up a lot of experience together over the years. Despite the strong rivals, difficult stages, and many unpredictable moments, they are ready to give everything.
Pogacar concluded by expressing the privilege of wearing the team's colors at the Tour de France, committing to doing their best to make themselves, the team, and the fans proud.