"We will have one of their strongest lineups in recent years" - Joxean Matxin confident in squad UAE Team Emirates have assembled for Tour de France

This summer, Tadej Pogacar will return to the Tour de France for his second Grand Tour of the year. Surrounding the two-time Maillot Jaune winner, UAE Team Emirates have assembled a star-studded lineup.

According to Joxean Matxin, UAE Team Emirates boss, the team lineup for this year's edition of the biggest race on the cycling calendar could go down in history as one of the strongest ever assembled by any team. "As for the Grand Tours... in France, we will have one of their strongest lineups in recent years: Tadej Pogacar, Adam Yates, Juan Ayuso, Joao Almeida, Marc Soler, Pavel Sivakov, Tim Wellens, Nils Pollit. I say the block that is, in advance because it's clear to me," he explains. "It will allow us an important tactical variable in the race."

"With a clear leader, Tadej. The only doubts will arise about possible changes due to falls or illness," Matxin continues. "It's also good for them, they know in advance, the altitude blocks... we have to speak clearly with the riders and tell them what is expected of each one," the Spaniard revealed on his Instagram account.

Tadej Pogacar will also race the Giro d'Italia, where he will be the top favorite although he will not be accompanied by riders of such level.

The 2024 Tour de France will start on June 29, so until then many changes can happen and the formation could change. As Matxín reports in his Instagram post and as we've seen happen to Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel among others, there may be crashes or illnesses that force changes.