The Giro selections are rolling out rapidly. This time, it's the turn of the formidable UAE Emirates, which unveiled its roster via a press release. Sporting director Matxin Fernandez's team holds no surprises, as it boasts the absolute top favorite, Tadej Pogacar.
Pogacar stands head and shoulders above the other favorites, and the entire cycling world anticipates a solo performance from him from Turin to Rome. With the absence of other stars such as Primoz Roglic, Jonas Vingegaard, or Remco Evenepoel, the 25-year-old Slovenian, who is aiming for the improbable Giro-Tour double this season, is expected to dominate the Italian cycling race effortlessly. Moreover, Pogi has an ideal route ahead of him, potentially allowing him to don the pink jersey from start to finish.
'Fresh' Tadej Pogacar feels ready for his first Giro
"The preparation for the Giro has gone really well," Pogacar says. "I've only raced on 10 days this year, so I feel fresh and ready for my first Giro. It's a race I've been dreaming about for a long time, and it feels like now is the time to go for it. I rode in Italy a lot as an amateur, and it has been an important country in my journey as a cyclist. It is definitely one of my favorite places to bike, and I also love the culture and, of course, the food. I hope we can make this month a special one. Obviously, my goal is to go for the GC, and we also have Sebastian Molano for the sprints and a very solid team overall. We can't wait to get started."
As Pogacar himself pointed out, UAE is also bringing a sprinter to the fold with Colombian Molano. According to some analysts, it may show a bit of arrogance by not having the entire team riding in Pogacar's service, but the 29-year-old South American has certainly already earned his stripes. Twice top ten in the AlUla Tour and the UAE Tour and a seventh place in the Classic Bruges-De Panne, that's something you can come home with when you have to draw your plan in the sprint.
Besides that, who will support the Slovenian? Well, compatriot Domen Novak, Portuguese Rui Oliveira, Dane Mikkel Bjerg, Austrian Felix Grossschartner, Norwegian Vegard Stake Laengen, and Pole Rafal Majka. The chances of them being allowed to go for their own success seem rather slim to us, but if their leader puts the race in a decisive fold particularly quickly, anything is possible.
Selection UAE Emirates Giro d'Italia 2024
Mikkel Bjerg
Felix Grossschartner
Vegard Stake Laengen
Rafal Majka
Sebastian Molano
Domen Novak
Rui Oliveira
Tadej Pogacar
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