UAE reveals Pogacar support as he targets fourth Strade Bianche title

Pogačar will make his first start of 2026 when he takes on the white roads of Tuscany on March 8, a race he has won in 2022, 2024 and 2025. 

“Strade is a race where I have unforgettable memories,” Pogačar said on the website of the team. “My record there is pretty good and I hope that I will be in a good position again come Saturday.”

To help him chase another victory, UAE Team Emirates XRG has assembled a squad that combines climbing support with all round strength across the varied terrain that makes Strade Bianche one of the most unpredictable one day races on the calendar.

Jan Christen joins the squad fresh from his second-place finish at the Ardèche Classic, where he was part of the chase group behind solo winner Paul Seixas. The Swiss rider will be joined by Felix Großschartner, who brings experience to the line-up.

And Pogačar will have Mexican super talent Isaac Del Toro at his disposal, after impressing in his first leadership test at the UAE Tour in mid February, with Del Toro also set to act as a shadow leader behind the Slovenian.

Domen Novak, Florian Vermeersch and Kevin Vermaerke complete the seven-man squad, giving UAE enough firepower across the varied terrain that makes Strade Bianche one of the most unpredictable one-day races on the calendar.

For Pogačar, the race also marks his first appearance of the season and he is eager to get started after watching the early campaigns unfold from home. 

“It is my first race of the season, and I hope to have a good start,” he said. “I’ve been cheering on from the couch until now, so I’m excited to get stuck in myself again and finally race. The team has been on a good wave at the moment with many wins already and we hope to continue that over the next few races.”

The 202.7km race follows the traditional route through the Tuscan countryside, with 63km of gravel roads spread across 14 sterrato sectors. The longest, Monte Sante Marie at 11.5km, typically begins to fracture the peloton before the decisive finale over the steep ramps into Siena.

Pogačar sealed a commanding victory in 2025, launching his decisive move on the final gravel sector before riding solo to the finish in Siena’s Piazza del Campo. The World Champion will be aiming for a repeat as he kicks off his build up to the spring Classics and, ultimately, the Tour de France.

On Saturday, his key rivals are expected to include Tom Pidcock, Paul Seixas, Matteo Jorgenson, Romain Grégoire, Quinn Simmons and Wout van Aert.