Pogacar, obsessed with Sanremo, chooses a team to break the race from afar

The UAE Team Emirates-XRG has already defined its lineup for the 2026 Milan-Sanremo, a date marked in red for Tadej Poga?ar, who will once again try to conquer the only Monument, alongside Paris-Roubaix, that still eludes him. The Slovenian faces his sixth participation with a constant progression in results and with a team designed to toughen the race from afar.

UAE Team Emirates-XRG strengthens its squad for Sanremo with Poga?ar and a Del Toro in great form

The Emirati team not only arrives with its leader but also with a block clearly aimed at blowing up the traditional script of the Classicissima. Alongside Poga?ar will be Isaac del Toro in full explosion, recently crowned in Tirreno-Adriatico and established as one of the key pieces of the team at the start of this season. The Mexican has already shown that he can perform at the highest level in demanding one-day races and his role is expected to be decisive at key moments.

Alongside him, names like Jan Christen, fundamental in Del Toro's recent success, reinforce the team's ability to select the race at critical points. Also standing out are riders like Florian Vermeersch, who has started the year with prominence in the classics, or the always reliable Domen Novak, a regular in these types of scenarios.

Completing the lineup are Felix Großschartner and Brandon McNulty, who will arrive after recovering from his fall in Paris-Nice and will debut in this race, adding depth to a block that combines climbers, rouleurs, and domestiques with offensive capabilities.

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Poga?ar, obsessed with Sanremo

If there is one race that the world champion has his eyes set on, it is the Milan-Sanremo. Since his debut in 2020, his evolution has been constant, becoming one of the main protagonists of the event. In the last two editions, he has come close to victory with two third places, always opting for an aggressive approach that has changed the way this classic is raced.

In 2025, his long-range attack alongside Mathieu van der Poel and Filippo Ganna broke the traditional script by selecting the race on the Cipressa, something historically uncommon. That type of strategy is back on the table.

Poga?ar himself has acknowledged on several occasions that the course suits his characteristics, especially after having studied the Poggio in detail, a key point where the race is usually decided. His intention is once again to avoid a mass sprint and turn the race into a selective duel.

A Milan-Sanremo that is increasingly unpredictable

The 2026 edition will once again present the classic route of more than 300 kilometers, with the traditional passes through the “Capi” before the chained Cipressa-Poggio. However, the development of the race in recent years has shown that the outcome is no longer reserved exclusively for sprinters.

Teams like UAE Team Emirates-XRG have contributed to transforming the event into a much more open race, where long-range attacks and high pace can break the peloton before the finish.

With such a solid block and a leader determined to make history, the Emirati team presents itself as one of the main protagonists of the 117th edition of the Classicissima, which will take place on March 21.