The UAE Team Emirates' injury woes have cast a shadow over their Tour de France preparations, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering who will support Tadej Pogacar in this year's race. With a growing list of injured riders, the team's original plans are in flux, and the search for the perfect lineup is on. Here's a breakdown of the current situation and the potential changes on the horizon.
The Original Plan
Initially, the team unveiled their 2026 season plans at a packed media day, with Tadej Pogacar, Isaac del Toro, and João Almeida revealing their schedules. However, the real action unfolded in the lounge area, where the majority of the team's figures shared their schedules. CyclingUpToDate exclusively reported on the 7 confirmed riders for the Giro d'Italia: João Almeida, António Morgado, Adam Yates, Jay Vine, Jan Christen, Igor Arrieta, and Florian Vermeersch. Only five made it to the start, with João Almeida and Florian Vermeersch missing due to illness and form, respectively.
The Tour de France Lineup
The Tour de France lineup was set to feature Tadej Pogacar, Isaac del Toro, Tim Wellens, Marc Soler, Adam Yates, and Brandon McNulty, with two more riders to be determined. However, plans changed when almost half the team suffered injuries. Florian Vermeersch, initially not part of the Giro lineup, was moved to the Tour due to his versatility and power. João Almeida, who was to lead the Giro, is now on the Tour's radar, potentially following his 2025 plan of racing the Tour and Vuelta or focusing on the Vuelta.
Injuries and Setbacks
The team's flexibility was tested when Marc Soler suffered a fractured pelvis in a mass crash at the Giro d'Italia, and Adam Yates sustained ear lacerations and a concussion. These injuries make it highly unlikely that Soler will recover in time for the Tour, and Yates' presence is uncertain. The team's original plans are in disarray, and the search for a suitable lineup intensifies.
The Uncertain Lineup
As of now, only five riders are confirmed for the Tour: Pogacar, del Toro, McNulty, Vermeersch, and Wellens. The team faces a challenging June, as the probability of further injuries looms. Nils Politt and Pavel Sivakov, who were part of the 2025 lineup, are healthy and in the running, but Sivakov's potential departure to the Decathlon CMA CGM Team could be a concern. The team needs a climber to support Pogacar and del Toro in the mountains, and either Yates or Almeida could fill this role, or Felix Grosschartner, who was surprisingly not named in any Grand Tour lineup, might be the surprise choice.
The Final Piece
The UAE Team Emirates' injury crisis has led to a reevaluation of their Tour de France strategy. With a mix of confirmed and potential riders, the team must navigate the challenges of injuries and form to find the perfect lineup. The race to support Tadej Pogacar is on, and the final pieces of the puzzle are yet to be determined.
