Tadej Pogacar goes through final preparation for Tour of Flanders at brutal E3 Saxo Classic

Tadej Pogacar is on his path to try and conquer the Tour des Flanders and the most important step in preparation for that is the E3 Saxo Classic. UAE Team Emirates have revealed the strong lineup that will be supporting him.

Last year Pogacar only raced Dwars door Vlaanderen in anticipation to De Ronde. This year that changes, as he will instead take on a much more similar classic in the E3 Saxo Classic. Featuring the Taaienberg, Paterberg and Oude Kwaremont among many other difficult sections, it's the most similar race on the calendar, and one where he will face all the top competition in the field. It's set to be a very interesting race where he should be a headliner.

Tim Wellens, who was on the attack at both Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne - and launched Pogacar into the decisive attack at Milano-Sanremo last week - will be a critical support rider, specially when it comes to covering attacks from the likes of Jumbo-Visma and other teams who will want to open the race up early.

The classics team of UAE will also include the experience of Matteo Trentin. Pogacar's right-hand man Mikkel Bjerg will be present, and the lineup is complete by a trio of rouleurs in Sjoerd Bax, Ryan Gibbons and Rui Oliveira.

UAE Team Emirates for E3 Saxo Classic: Tadej Pogacar, Sjoerd Bax, Mikkel Bjerg, Ryan Gibbons, Rui Oliveira, Matteo Trentin and Tim Wellens.