UAE Team Emirates close to signing another classics specialist to support Tadej Pogacar

On paper, it can barely be said that Florian Vermeersch has started his 2024 season. The Lotto Dstny rider fractured his femur on his sole day of racing this year at the Vuelta a Murcia, but is on the verge of signing a big contract with UAE Team Emirates nevertheless.

A situation similar to that of Tao Geoghegan Hart last year, who made the move from INEOS Grenadiers to Lidl-Trek on a long contract despite him having the same severe injury keeping him from racing. Vermeersch's talent is something that BORA - hansgrohe and Team Visma | Lease a Bike were also seeking according to Het Laatste Nieuws, but ultimately a deal with UAE is almost sealed.

The team's financial capacity allows them to keep making big moves on the market despite already having an extraordinary squad with current world-class leaders but also some of the best young riders in the peloton. 25-year old Vermeersch falls somewhere inbetween. After the team signed Tim Wellens and Nils Politt - both were leaders in the cobbled classics, and will be racing the Tour de France in support of Tadej Pogacar - they are looking to get another rider of the same kind.

Vermeersch could provide support in both types of races for the Slovenian. His sole career win is at the Antwerp Port Epic, but he has finished second in the brutal wet 2021 Paris-Roubaix and was also second at the Renewi Tour last year behind Wellens himself.