Tadej Pogacar is back in the saddle, 128 days after his fourth consecutive Lombardy win. His next stop? The UAE Tour, a World Tour category event that will serve as the stage for his return to competition. As the dominant force in cycling in 2024, with wins in the Giro, Tour, World Championship, Lieja-Bastogne-Lieja, Lombardía, Volta a Catalunya, Strade Bianche, GP of Montreal, and Giro de la Emilia, Pogacar is looking to add to his impressive tally.
The UAE Tour, which has been won by Pogacar twice before, in 2021 and 2022, will see the UAE Team Emirates squad attempt to reclaim the title after Remco Evenepoel and Lenner van Eetvelt took the top spot in the last two editions.
Pogacar’s season is shaping up to be a busy one, with the Tour de Flanders, Lieja-Bastogne-Lieja, Tour de France, World Rwanda, and his fifth Lombardy all on the horizon. And, as he’ll announce at the presentation of the test next Sunday, he’s also planning a return to Spain. One thing’s for sure, though – his presence at the Italy turn in 2025 is off the table.
As for the UAE Tour, Pogacar is the clear favorite to take the general classification, but there are plenty of other big names in the mix. The likes of Van Eelvelt, Carlos Rodríguez, Félix Gall, and Pello Bilbao will all be looking to capitalize on any slip-ups and challenge Pogacar for the top spot. The iconic arrivals uphill of Jebel Jais and Jebel Hafeet, as well as an individual time trial of 12.2 km in Al Hudayriyat Island, will be crucial stages in the battle for the win.
Duel of the best sprinters
The UAE Tour is also set to host an epic battle between the world’s top sprinters. After the big laps and Milan-San Remo, this is the next big test for the peloton’s speedsters. Jasper Philipsen and Tim Merlier, the two Belgian sprinters who have dominated the specialty in recent seasons, will go head-to-head in what promises to be an explosive duel. They won’t be alone, though – other big names like Dylan Groenewegen, Fabio Jakobsen, Olav Kooij, Jonathan Milan, Fernando Gaviria, Arvid de Kleijn, and Sam Welsford will all be looking to get in on the action.
Spanish representation in Emirates
Spain will be represented at the UAE Tour by the Movistar Team, with Iván Romeo and Pablo Castrillo flying the flag. They’ll be joined by Carlos Rodríguez, Jonathan Castroviejo, and Pello Bilbao, who will all be looking to make their mark on the event. It’s going to be a fascinating few days in the desert, that’s for sure.