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 absentees, the team's original plans are in flux, and the question of who will fill the remaining spots is a hot topic of discussion.
The team's December media day was a grand affair, with big names like Pogacar, Isaac del Toro, and João Almeida revealing their schedules to a packed conference room. However, it was the lounge area where the real intrigue began, as team figures shared their plans for the season.
The Giro d'Italia lineup was initially announced with seven riders: Almeida, António Morgado, Adam Yates, Jay Vine, Jan Christen, Igor Arrieta, and Florian Vermeersch. But fate had other plans. Almeida fell ill in the spring, and Vermeersch, a classics specialist, was moved to the Tour de France lineup due to his versatility and power on the bike.
The eighth rider, Jhonatan Narváez, was a mystery, and his absence from the December camp was kept close to his chest by Joxean Matxín. Narváez will not be racing the Tour de France, and the remaining two spots were filled by Mikkel Bjerg and Marc Soler.
The Tour de France lineup was set to include Pogacar, del Toro, Tim Wellens, Soler, Yates, and Brandon McNulty, with two more riders to be announced. Pavel Sivakov and Nils Politt, who were part of the 2025 lineup, were the obvious choices, but plans change, especially when half the team is injured.
Vermeersch's addition to the lineup was a surprise, and Almeida's potential return is a welcome development. However, Marc Soler's fractured pelvis and Adam Yates' ear lacerations and concussion in the Giro d'Italia crash have left the team in a difficult position.
With five riders confirmed, the remaining three spots are up for grabs. Nils Politt and Pavel Sivakov are healthy and have a strong chance of being selected, but Sivakov's potential departure to the Decathlon CMA CGM Team may not be welcomed by the management.
A climber is needed to support Pogacar and del Toro in the mountains, and either Yates or Almeida could fill this role. However, if both are not fit, Felix Grosschartner, a reliable veteran, could be the team's dark horse.
The Austrian was surprisingly not named in any Grand Tour lineup in 2026, despite his impressive performances in 2025 and 2026. His reliability and experience could be a game-changer for the team.
In conclusion, the UAE Team Emirates' injury woes have left them in a difficult position, but with a mix of experience and youthful energy, they may just surprise us all at the Tour de France. The remaining three spots will be filled with careful consideration, and the team's flexibility and adaptability will be key to their success.
