Soler ruled out of UAE's Tour plans, but Pogacar still has options

According to Catalunya Ràdio journalist Isaac Vilalta, Soler will not line up at the Tour, which this year passes through his hometown of Vilanova i la Geltrú on stage 2. The Spaniard crashed on stage 2 of the Giro and has not yet returned to the bike. He is due to undergo further tests next week to assess how his recovery is progressing.

It is a significant blow for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. Since joining from Movistar in 2022, Soler had not missed a single Tour de France and has become one of Pogačar’s most trusted domestiques. His absence is also a personal disappointment, given the race route through his home region.

The update also confirms what UAE had already suggested last month. Speaking to Domestique at the Giro, UAE sports manager Matxin Joxean Fernández acknowledged that Soler was not on track for the Tour at that point.

“Marc Soler isn’t in line to do it at the moment, he’s still recovering and hasn’t been training,” Matxin said. “Adam Yates is good, and we’re hoping he’ll be in good shape for the Tour.”

The news comes after João Almeida had already effectively ruled himself out of Tour contention. The Portuguese rider recently said he does not feel ready to take on the race after a difficult spell with physical problems and a long period in which he was neither properly training nor properly resting.

“Personally, I feel I would not be prepared to do the Tour de France,” Almeida told O Jogo. “The Tour is a race where cyclists have to be in their best shape, because otherwise it is not possible to do much.”

The opening days of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, formerly the Critérium du Dauphiné, have offered little cause for optimism for the Portuguese rider, who was dropped early in each of the first two stages.

UAE had already indicated that the final selection would be delayed until the last possible moment. Sports director Andrej Hauptman said the team still believes it can arrive in Barcelona with its strongest possible squad, but admitted that several recovery processes need to be monitored closely.

“This season is demanding, but I believe we will arrive at the Tour with the strongest team,” Hauptman told RTV SLO. “We still have to wait and see how the recovery of some riders progresses, and we will wait until the last moment to choose those who are truly best prepared.”

So what options are left for UAE?

Isaac del Toro looks certain to take a place in the squad, with the Mexican set to make his Tour de France debut as one of Pogačar’s key lieutenants in the high mountains. If fit and back at the required level, Adam Yates is also expected to be there, given his track record alongside Pogačar in recent years.

Based on past Tour selections, Tim Wellens and Nils Politt also look like safe bets. The Belgian and the German are powerful engines who can play important roles across different types of terrain. They could also be crucial in the opening team time trial, where UAE will need horsepower from the very first day. Wellens even won a stage last year while riding in support of Pogačar.

Brandon McNulty also appears to be preparing for the Tour. The American has ridden the race twice before for UAE, most recently in 2022, and his expected return was already signalled in December.

Speaking to Domestique at UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s media day in Benidorm, Matxin indicated that McNulty was set to be part of the team’s Tour de France plans.

“The programme of Brandon McNulty this year is mainly the Tour de France,” Matxin said.

Behind them, there are still several candidates for the final two places, with Florian Vermeersch appearing to be one of the strongest contenders. After a solid spring campaign, the Belgian hinted at his Tour prospects in April, telling Het Nieuwsblad: “It looks like I’m heading for a very nice summer.” 

The other remaining place looks likely to go to Pavel Sivakov, who has been part of Pogačar’s successful Tour squad in each of the past two years and has also featured in earlier reports as part of the expected line up.

That would mean Jonathan Narváez, a three time Giro stage winner, misses out, unlike last year. The Ecuadorian was already not expected to be part of the Tour squad, and his injury problems have not helped his case. Narváez was forced to abandon the Giro shortly before the finish after crashing into a bus and suffering whiplash symptoms.

If any riders drop out or fail to reach the required level, Felix Großschartner could still come into the picture. Although Jay Vine was back on the bike in late May after breaking his elbow in the mass crash on the Giro d’Italia, the Australian is unlikely to be in the mix for Tour selection.