UAE have Pogačar’s team ready for Milan-Sanremo: including Del Toro, Vermeersch and McNulty

For several years now, Milan-Sanremo has been high on the Slovenian multiple winner’s wish list, but unlike many other races, he has yet to win it. This year, Pogacar heads to Italy with renewed hope of finally defeating Mathieu van der Poel and company.

“I think the race suits me well, but a number of other top riders are also very strong at it,” the Slovenian says on the UAE website. “The competition will be fierce as always, but we’re used to that and we’ll do everything we can to achieve a good result. I’m hoping for a fantastic race day and that we can put on a great show for the fans.”

Pogacar is also heading to Milan well-prepared. “I’ve scouted the Poggio many times, and it’s a climb I know very well.” To stand a chance, the world champion’s team will have to make things as difficult as possible on the climbs, something they already did at Strade Bianche. “If we can do that again as a team, anything is possible. The team was amazing.”

The same can be said of the squad that UAE Team Emirates - XRG announced on Tuesday for Milan-Sanremo. Starting with Isaac del Toro. The Mexican won the Tirreno-Adriatico just last weekend and has shown he’s in top form. He may therefore be able to stay with Pogacar for quite some time.

The UAE’s star-studded lineup also includes Florian Vermeersch, who finished third in the Omloop het Nieuwsblad, and Brandon McNulty, who is returning from his crash in Paris-Nice. Pogacar can also count on Felix Großschartner and his compatriot and loyal lieutenant Domen Novak.

The unpredictable Jan Christen rounds out the lineup surrounding Pogacar. With several strong climbers on the team, it looks like the squad from the Emirates will once again set a blistering pace on the climbs, after which they hope Pogacar will finally cross the Via Roma with his hands in the air.