Adam Yates leads strong UAE Team Emirates lineup for UAE Tour: “I’m really excited to finally start racing with the team"

UAE Team Emirates have revealed their lineup for the upcoming UAE Tour as the team looks to defend the crown they won at their home race last year through Tadej Pogacar.

Whilst Pogacar himself won't be their to defend his title, in his stead 30-year-old British rider Adam Yates has been chosen to lead the UAE Team Emirates charge in his team debut. “I’m really excited and motivated to finally start racing with the team. UAE Tour is a really nice race to go to and it’s a place that’s suited me well in the past," Yates said. "There’s a little more pressure with the UAE jersey on my back now but that only gives me more motivation to do well. We have a really solid team going and we’ll be counting on good local support too which will be fantastic.”

Alongside Yates will be Mikkel Bjerg, Vegard Stake Laengen, Brandon McNulty, Sebastian Molano, Marc Soler, Jay Vine in a strong lineup that even without the reigning champion will surely make them one of the favourites for victory.

“It’s clear that when it comes to season objectives this race sits extremely highly on the list. Long with the Tour de France its the pinnacle of our season," team manager Joxean Matxin Fernandez said. "The aim will be to go back and try to defend our title from last year. Yates will make his debut with us and will take the role as leader, though as is our nature as a team we will have different options throughout the race as it unfolds.”