UAE reveals support for Pogacar in pursuit of Monument set
UAE Team Emirates-XRG has outlined its backing for Tadej Pogacar as the Slovenian targets cycling’s full set of Monuments.
After his victory at Milan-Sanremo last month, only the ‘Hell of the North’ remains unchecked on Pogačar’s Monument list. A win on Sunday would see him join Eddy Merckx, Rik Van Looy and Roger De Vlaeminck as the only riders to have claimed all five Monuments.
“It’s no secret that Paris-Roubaix is one of the big goals for this part of the season,” Pogačar said ahead of the race in a press release by the team. “The few races I’ve done so far have gone perfectly so the motivation is high, but the pressure is low. I’m going to enjoy it no matter what the result.”
Pogačar returns to Roubaix one year on from his debut, where he finished second despite crashing inside the final 40 kilometres. Before that fall, the Slovenian had been one of the most aggressive riders in the race, forcing a selection from distance and dropping all but Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen on the cobbles. The crash ended any realistic chance of victory, with Van der Poel going on to take a third consecutive win.
This year, UAE Team Emirates-XRG arrives with a similar core around its leader. Pogačar will line up in Compiègne alongside Mikkel Bjerg, Sebastián Molano, António Morgado, Rui Oliveira, Nils Politt and Florian Vermeersch.
Five of those riders were also part of the squad last year, offering continuity for a race that often hinges on positioning and experience. “We have such a strong team with guys who have been on the podium here before,” Pogačar said. “It’s not only me who is capable of a result.”
The absence of Tim Wellens, who broke his collarbone at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, is a notable change. However, the Belgian is progressing well in his recovery and could return in time for the Ardennes Classics.
UAE also brings proven Roubaix pedigree beyond its team leader. Vermeersch, runner up in 2021, and Politt, second in 2019 and fourth last year, both have the profile suited to the demands of the race and are expected to play key roles on the cobbles.
For Pogačar, the objective is clear. “It’s the last Monument missing,” he said. “We’ll try to make the most of it.”
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