Tadej Pogacar and UAE-Team Emirates Gear Up for Tour de France 2023
Tadej Pogacar, the 25-year-old Slovenian cycling prodigy, is set to reclaim his yellow jersey at the upcoming Tour de France. Pogacar, who dominated the Tour in 2020 and 2021, has been second to Jonas Vingegaard for the past two years. This year, however, Pogacar is more determined than ever, armed with an impressive team and coming off a strong victory at the Giro d'Italia.
Pogacar's UAE-Team Emirates has assembled a formidable lineup to support his quest for the yellow jersey. The team includes Adam Yates, the recent winner of the Tour de Suisse, and Joao Almeida, who finished second in Switzerland. Other key members are Tim Wellens, the Belgian time trial champion, and Juan Ayuso, the young Spaniard who won the Tour of the Basque Country. The squad is rounded out by Nils Politt, Marc Soler, and Pavel Sivakov, all of whom are expected to play crucial roles.
A Dream Team for a Double Challenge
Pogacar's preparation for the Tour de France has been meticulous. The team has spent significant time training at altitude, ensuring peak performance levels. Pogacar aims to achieve the Giro-Tour double, a feat not accomplished since Marco Pantani in 1998. His confidence is bolstered by the strong performances of his teammates, particularly Yates and Almeida, who have shown excellent form in recent races.
Pogacar expressed his excitement for the upcoming challenge, stating, 'This will already be my fifth Tour de France and I can’t wait. The preparation has gone very well since my victory at the Giro. We spent a lot of time at altitude training together. We can’t wait to get started and fight for victory.' With such a strong team behind him, Pogacar is poised to make a significant impact in this year's Tour de France.
- The UAE-Team Emirates has not deviated from its initial lineup announced in December, showcasing their confidence in their selected riders. Adam Yates, Pogacar's first lieutenant, commented on the team's preparation, 'We know what we have to do to support Tadej and aim for victory.' Yates finished third in the last Tour de France, underscoring his capability to support Pogacar effectively.
- Pogacar's desire to reclaim the yellow jersey and achieve the Giro-Tour double sets the stage for an exciting Tour de France. With a team that matches his talent and meticulous preparation, Pogacar and UAE-Team Emirates are ready to challenge Jonas Vingegaard and other favorites in the race.
