Having their home race in sight it is no surprise that once again UAE Team Emirates are taking an absolutely stacked lineup to the UAE Tour, having multiple riders who can succeed, with Tadej Pogačar and João Almeida making their season debut, and with Fernando Gaviria targeting the sprints after a successful Tour of Oman.
The team has announced this Tuesday the lineup they will be taking for the race in the UAE and it includes the defending champion Pogačar who, after having recovered from a Covid infection some weeks ago, is set to be leading the team. He is however not the only option as João Almeida comes in for his first appearance with the team, and the team also comes with George Bennett who is fresh off a sting of racing in his native country of New Zealand, and also Pogačar's right-hand man Rafal Majka who is likely coming in with a super domestique role.
As for the sprints the team brings in a quality bunch aswell as Fernando Gaviria will be eyeing a stage win, the Colombian has been racing in the Middle East these past few weeks and is just off the back of a set of wins at the Tour of Oman, where he had the company of his trusted leadout man Max Richeze who will also be at the UAE, after being re-signed last minute by the team. Completing the lineup is the Dane Mikkel Bjerg who has solidified a spot in the team's backbone, capable of supporting both sprinters and GC riders on the vast desertic plains the riders will face.
UAE Team Emirates for UAE Tour: Tadej Pogačar, João Almeida, Rafal Majka, George Bennett, Fernando Gaviria, Max Richeze, Mikkel Bjerg.
It's almost time! #UAETour🇦🇪 2022 kicks off this Sunday and we're excited to share our lineup with you: @JooAlmeida98 🇵🇹 @georgenbennett 🇳🇿 @mikkelbbjerg 🇩🇰 @FndoGaviria 🇨🇴 @majkaformal 🇵🇱 @TamauPogi 🇸🇮 (🏆 2021) @MaxRicheze 🇦🇷 #UAETeamEmirates #WeAreUAE
