Tadej Pogacar is heading to the Tour of Flanders and UAE Team Emirates - XRG have announced their lineup. It doesn't include surprises, but it does include the firepower to control the race until the race reaches its decisive phase in which the World Champion is expected to attack.
"I’m very pleased to be going back to Flanders to defend the title. The way the whole team rode in Milano-Sanremo was so impressive, and if we can carry that into the next few weeks, I think we can achieve some great results," Pogacar said in a press release.
Although he only has two race days so far this season, they were both victories - at Strade Bianche and Milano-Sanremo - where his form looked as good as ever. He enters Flanders as the man to beat after his strong victory 12 months ago, and taking into consideration the continuous climbing performance he has had since. Tactically, UAE is unlikely to be overpowered as they come with a stronger block than Alpecin; whilst it is Visma and Remco Evenepoel's BORA which may be able to put pressure on him.
“Flanders is one of the biggest heartlands of cycling and the energy around this race is something special and a pleasure to be a part of. Since my last race, I’ve been training while also keeping an eye on the racing and cheering on the teammates from home, so I’m excited to be getting stuck into the action again.”
Pogacar will be backed up by the in-form Florian Vermeersch as his key domestique. Nils Politt, António Morgado, Mikkel Bjerg, Rui Oliveira and Benoît Cosnefroy complete the lineup.
UAE Team Emirates - XRG for Tour of Flanders 2026
| Rider |
| Tadej Pogacar |
| Nils Politt |
| Florian Vermeersch |
| António Morgado |
| Mikkel Bjerg |
| Rui Oliveira |
| Benoît Cosnefroy |
Read also
All eyes are on De Ronde, where @TamauPogi will look to defend his title 🇧🇪
— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamEmiratesUAE) April 3, 2026
The two-time champion will go in search of a record-equalling third crown. We are ready ⤵️
🇸🇮 @TamauPogi
🇩🇰 @mikkelbbjerg
🇫🇷 @BenoitCosnefroy
🇵🇹 @morgadoisme
🇵🇹 @roliveira57
🇩🇪 @PolittNils
🇧🇪… pic.twitter.com/0UhNAeMLVk
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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- Right on. The more the merrier.Occam13-11-2026
- Remember, Del Toro struggled in this Tour. He is great, no doubt about that, but comparing him to a four time gt winner is absurd at this point. He has the potential. We'll have to see how he develops.awp13-11-2026
- what did Jonas gift and to whom? just curious, haven’t heard about this.mij13-11-2026
- You don't gift grand tours as it has come to light that Jonas has come to regret doing such.
Front24213-11-2026 - Exactly you said it urslf - he outclimbed del toro by 19 sec. 19SEC and you say hes alot better than del toro still lol? And can also do the same where del toro did that to jonas even and del toro dauphine numbers better than jonas all year so why this hard whats the issue its super easy stuff - del toro wasnt that before. Then factor in both their trajectory the last years and the answer is self explonatory like i said. Nothing against jonas like many do but the typing is no the wall and so stupidly easy as its so self explanatory now. Have a good daymiguel13-11-2026
- Dirty ex doperFront24213-11-2026
- As far as points go they need to take a page or ten out of the Astana playbook!Lozza13-11-2026
- Ah, seems he’s been busy elsewhere! 😆Lozza13-11-2026
- Where is he when you need him!? Wake up man! You’re missing an opportunity!Lozza13-11-2026
- A very true statement made by Johan Bruyneel: "We don’t know for sure about Jonas, because he dropped out of the Tour de France, but he would never have come close to Pogacar. Maybe he would have finished second. He won the Giro in dominant fashion and the Vuelta the year before, but Visma wants to win the Tour." That's exactly what I've been saying the last six months. If Pogi races with Jonas, the most he can be is second... UNLESS... Pogi crashes out or makes a BIG mistake, which is not likely to happen. Either Bruyneel thinks the way I do or he reads my posts. Ad acta!!!PogiSloFans13-11-2026
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