Is UAE changing its Tour de France plans? Tadej Pogacar may get a new right-hand man following classics showdown

Florian Vermeersch was outlined to race the Giro d'Italia this year, something which CyclingUpToDate first reported on at the team's training camp in Benidorm, December 2025. However after the impressive classics campaign of the Belgian, he may have earned himself a change of schedules where he would be placed right alongside Tadej Pogacar at the Tour de France.

The Belgian rider had tremendous quality proven already before the 2026 season but with UAE aiming for a fifth Tour de France win, they could spare no-one in search of maintaining their dominance over the Grand Boucle. Hence, finding a position on the lineup is a difficult task for any rider. Vermeersch was scheduled to race the Giro in support of João Almeida, where he would also potentially have some chances of his own through breakaways.

However during the spring, he has finished third at Omloop het Nieuwsblad, then again in the E3 Saxo Classic, and then seventh whilst supporting Tadej Pogacar to Tour of Flanders success. Vermeersch was also a prominent figure in other races such as Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne and Middelkerke - Wevelgem where he was on the attack; whilst also supporting Pogacar through important moments of Strade Bianche, Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix.

The 27-year old ended his spring campaign at De Brabantse Pijl but has performed beyond expectations and may be the perfect match for UAE's Tour lineup, providing a lot of ability to ride hard on the flat and hilly terrain. According to Het Laatste Nieuws, this has a strong chance of taking place.

The team features Tadej Pogacar, Isaac del Toro, Tim Wellens, Brandon McNulty and Adam Yates as virtually confirmed riders. Between Marc Soler, Pavel Sivakov, Nils Politt and Vermeersch there will be three chosen - unless injuries put further obstacles in the team's plans. However taking into consideration how he has ridden the first half of the season, the Belgian will certainly be a priority into the Grand Boucle. Marc Soler is being reported as a potential starter at the Giro, which could decide things in the meantime.