INTERVIEW Jhonatan Narváez | UAE set for Tour title defense - "We knew that it was going to be hard in the climbs but we also have good climbers"

Jhonatan Narváez signed with UAE Team Emirates - XRG this winter after being one of the few riders who was able to beat Tadej Pogacar directly in 2024; but this year his task is fully of supporting the World Champion. The Ecuadorian talked to CyclingUpToDate at the team presentation event in Lille and shared positive feedback regarding his form ahead of the race.

UAE was able to keep all of it's Tour team intact and healthy throughout the year now until the start of the Tour. For Narváez, as long as he showed his expected level, there was never a doubt that he was going to be at the Grand Depart. "Since December yeah," he told us. Every single member of the UAE lineup has been decided for months, yet it is impressive how they all arrive with good form into the Tour de France.

It is a must as well, as Team Visma | Lease a Bike come in with an incredibly strong team for both flat and mountainous days to support Tadej Pogacar. Narváez hence also trained quite a lot in the mountains this year, not fully devoting himself to his specialty in the short punchy climbs. "We knew that it was going to be hard in the climbs but we also have good climbers".

Narváez had already raced Milano-Sanremo, Tour of Flanders and Amstel Gold Race with the World Champion; and at the Criterium du Dauphiné he showed the same legs as Sanremo as he launched Pogacar for an attack in Combloux that led him to the yellow jersey.

That was the sign that Narváez was ready for the Tour, and ever since it's been a long wait until this weekend, where he will start his first Tour de France (and eighth Grand Tour). "Yeah we trained hard at the Dauphiné, the shape is there and we're just waiting for the start of the race".

The team comes into the race, according to the 28-year old, without a feeling of much stress. "I think we have a good atmosphere now, the race starts Saturday, we are relaxed," he concluded.