UAE Team Emirates reinforce Vuelta a Espana mountain block with late replacement

UAE Team Emirates have made a last-minute switch in it's Vuelta a Espana lineup, the focus will change slightly more towards the mountains as Domen Novak replaces Ivo Oliveira.

Although the team brings Juan Ayuso and João Almeida who are candidates for a podium or even victory at the Spanish Grand Tour, the team nevertheless selected Juan Sebastián Molano for the sprints. The decision saw the team bring a few riders to support on the flat stages, the Oliveira twins - Rui and Ivo - were part of the selection.

However that ultimately won't be the case. Ivo Oliveira came down with an illness this week and has been replaced by Domen Novak. The Slovenian was initially signed to be part of Tadej Pogacar's block but due to the team's high quality he did not make the selection for the Tour de France.

Into the Vuelta, supporting the leading duo, will be Jay Vine, Marc Soler and Finn Fisher-Black. The team now adds Novak for further support, the veteran was present at the recent Vuelta a Burgos where he showed good form with displays of power in the mountain stages where Adam Yates launched attacks.