CONFIRMED: The '7' that will support Tadej Pogacar in his Tour of Flanders title defense

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.