Pogacar has been ill recently but that has not changed the plan
UAE Team Emirates have drawn up. "The preparation has been good," Pogacar said in a press release. "I had a bit of gastroenteritis in January which wasn’t very pleasant but thankfully I’m over it and feeling healthy. It’s nice to experience new races and I’m looking forward to what Jaen and Andalucia have in store for us. I can’t wait to start racing again.”
“I’m excited for these races and to pin on a number again and be with the team. I’ve been watching the first races last weeks on the TV and enjoying it, but also wishing a bit to be there in the action," he continued. As he eyes a large spring with many goals, he looks to delay the start to his main schedule so as to keep the freshness deep into April.
"For Tadej the plan this year was to keep the base of the calendar more or less the same while making a few adjustments, which is what we’ve done," team manager Joxean Matxin said. "Tadej is a rider who likes to keep things fresh and try new things so starting the year here in Jaen and Andalucia made sense. The season will be long so our idea is to build up gradually to the biggest targets.”