Info @Gazzetta_it - @TeamEmiratesUAE sources just confirmed us that @TamauPogi won't be at the start of Uae Tour this year. For the 2 times @LeTour winner first race of the year will be in Spain. Soon expected official confirmation of the team
UAE Team Emirates are the home team and every year seek to thrive at the UAE Tour with it's biggest stars, including Tadej Pogacar. However 2023 could very well prove out to be different, as the Slovenian is said to be skipping the race in order to favour his spring campaign.
Gazzetta dello Sport's Ciro Scognamiglio reports that he has been told by sources within UAE Team Emirates that Pogacar will not be at the start of the second World Tour stage-race. This comes as big news as Pogacar is the two-time defending champion, besides finishing runner-up in 2020, as the team has always put it's maximum focus on succeeding in this goal.
Pogacar has recently been ill, but is expected to start his season at the Clásica Jaén Paraiso Interior. His spring will be absolutely packed however with his presence expected at Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, Milano-Sanremo, Dwars door Vlaanderen, Tour des Flandres, Flèche Wallone and Liège-Bastogne-Liége, all races in which he will be a big favourite to take the win.
It is hence unknown if the team will start the race with the same ambitions, but Adam Yates is lined up to start after winning the 2020 edition and finishing second to Pogacar over the last two years. Brandon McNulty and Marc Soler are also expected at the start, making for a very strong mountain lineup whichever option the team chooses.
Info @Gazzetta_it - @TeamEmiratesUAE sources just confirmed us that @TamauPogi won't be at the start of Uae Tour this year. For the 2 times @LeTour winner first race of the year will be in Spain. Soon expected official confirmation of the team