When recruiting Tour de France domestiques, Pogačar won't call on his American help

UAE Team Emirates-XRG have had an unfortunate year so far. Three riders were forced to abandon the Giro d'Italia as early as stage two, after a heavy crash. That's bad news for Tadej Pogacar ahead of the Tour de France, but quietly working away in the background, another UAE climber is having a strong spring. His name? Kevin Vermaerke. IDL Pro Cycling spoke to the American about his year so far, his goals and his programme.

First, let's run through Pogacar's usual helpers — what's going on with them? Originally, João Almeida was pencilled in for the Tour, but the Portuguese rider has been dealing with vague fatigue issues and said himself he wasn't ready for the Tour de France. That's already a significant blow to the plans.

But unfortunately there was more going on at UAE. Team leader Adam Yates crashed out of the Giro. Marc Soler and Jay Vine were caught up in the same crash. It had already been reported that the trio wouldn't be fit in time to line up in Barcelona at the start of July. Another setback for Pogacar.

So who's stepping up? Isaac Del Toro looks set to become the luxury helper, especially after his comments following his Dauphiné win. Brandon McNulty is also expected to be involved, while Florian Vermeersch and Tim Wellens are also reportedly being counted on.

One name flying a bit under the radar is Vermaerke. The American was there at both Tirreno-Adriatico and the Dauphiné (both won by Del Toro), as well as at the Tour de Romandie (won by Pogacar).

Last week, just before the start of the final weekend of the Dauphiné, Vermaerke was full of enthusiasm about his move. "It's really been incredible. I'm really happy with my decision to go to UAE. It's a real breath of fresh air, and I think that's exactly what I needed in my career," he told IDL Pro Cycling.

"I think I've also already made some real progress in terms of my level," the climber from America continued. "I've been lucky enough to be part of a number of wins, including with Tadej and Isaac this year. I'm really grateful for that." Quite a contrast for someone who, a year earlier, was riding for what was — with all due respect — a fairly directionless Picnic-PostNL.

According to Vermaerke, the biggest difference compared to the Dutch team is the motivation. "When we go to races like this, we go there to win, and we have a plan. Everyone buys into that plan. You can give that little bit extra when you're part of a bigger goal. I think that's really motivating. It's also something new for me, but something I've really been enjoying so far."

The 25-year-old climber hasn't just been brought in to ride support. "There'll also be personal opportunities in the second half of the season. I'm looking forward to that too. I've been really enjoying it so far, and I'm trying to make the most of it," he said.

Still, despite the loss of so many regular helpers, riding the Tour isn't an option for Vermaerke. "I won't be at the Tour myself. That's not something I'm focused on," he confirmed. But: "Isaac is definitely on his way and he's in really good form. Wherever I can help him, I'll do my absolute best." That paid off, as the Mexican went on to win the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes convincingly.

So, no Tour then. Where will we see the American instead? The Vuelta, for one, he said. The road there looks like this: "First I'm heading to the American Championships, which is a big goal. After that I'll go to the Tour of Austria. Those are really the races where I'm motivated to go for a result myself, and to start winning on my own. After Romandie and the Dauphiné with Tadej and Isaac, I'm really motivated to go for a result of my own."

Author: Gauthier Ribeiro - Click here to email