The UAE confirms the formidable squad that will back Pogacar in his quest to win his fifth Tour de France

UAE Team Emirates-XRG has confirmed the team that will face the 2026 Tour de France, and it does so with a lineup designed to support the main goal of the season: to conquer a fifth yellow jersey with Tadej Pogacar. The Slovenian will arrive in Barcelona as the reigning champion and with the possibility of equaling the historic record of five victories in the Grande Boucle, a figure that has only been reached by Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Induráin.

UAE Team Emirates-XRG presents a luxury block for Pogacar to pursue his fifth Tour de France

The Emirati formation has opted for a balanced block between power for the flat and top-level climbers. Alongside Pogacar will be Isaac del Toro, Adam Yates, Brandon McNulty, Felix Großschartner, Tim Wellens, Nils Politt, and Florian Vermeersch.

Del Toro, the great novelty for the mountains

Among all the names, the one that stands out especially is Isaac del Toro. The Mexican will compete in the Tour de France for the first time after an extraordinary season in which he has made a definitive leap among the best stage race riders.

RECOMENDADO

The UAE points to Seixas as one of the biggest threats to Pogacar in the Tour: "He is at the level of Vingegaard"

Pogacar crushes his rivals in Switzerland: victory in the overall and in the queen stage

Pogacar debuts the Colnago TT2: features, price, and weight of his new time trial bike

Marcel Camprubí surprises in Sabiñánigo and is crowned the new champion of Spain in his first victory as a professional

We tested the new Specialized S-Works Evade 4: it doesn't revolutionize the series, but it improves almost everything

"I have lost weight, but I maintain my power": Evenepoel explains that he arrives at the Tour stronger than in 2025

Del Toro arrives after winning the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, where he won two stages and the general classification, in addition to having previously lifted the titles of the UAE Tour and the Tirreno-Adriatico. He also adds his second place in the 2025 Giro d'Italia, results that make him one of UAE's main weapons when the race reaches the high mountains.

His presence also opens new tactical possibilities for the team led by Fabrizio Guidi, Andrej Hauptman, and Simone Pedrazzini, who will be able to launch long-range attacks or play with multiple cards against rivals like Jonas Vingegaard.

An experienced block around Pogacar

Experience will also be one of the team's strengths. Adam Yates and Nils Politt will reach their tenth participation in the Tour de France this year, while riders like Wellens, McNulty, and Großschartner have already been important pieces in previous victories of Pogacar in grand tours.

For his part, Vermeersch has earned his call-up after a solid classics campaign and will provide power in the transition stages and in the important team time trial that will open the race in Barcelona.

Pogacar: “The Tour is the biggest challenge of the season”

The leader of UAE Team Emirates-XRG arrives at the Tour after winning both the Tour de Romandie and the Tour de Suisse this year, two results that reinforce his status as the main favorite.

Before heading to Barcelona, Pogacar highlighted the confidence that exists within the team:

“The Tour de France is always the biggest challenge of the season and also the race that motivates us the most. Every year you arrive at the start knowing that anything can happen over three weeks, and that’s what makes it so special.”

The Slovenian also wanted to emphasize the work done over the past months:

“We have prepared very well as a team. Everyone has worked incredibly hard, and now we are excited to start in Barcelona.”

Regarding his personal feelings, he added:

“I feel good, I’m eager to compete, and I know I will have a fantastic group of teammates and staff around me. We have a lot of confidence in each other and have accumulated a lot of experience together over the years.”

Aiming for a place in history

Since winning the Tour in his debut in 2020, Pogacar has never finished outside the top two positions in the general classification. He already has four titles and 21 stage victories in the French round, a figure that continued to increase with four partial wins in the 2025 edition.

Now he faces a new opportunity to reach a mark reserved for the greatest legends of cycling. However, the Slovenian is aware that the road will be full of obstacles.

“There will be very strong rivals, difficult stages, and many unpredictable moments, but we are prepared to give it our all.”

And he concluded with a message directed at the team and the fans:

“It is a privilege to wear these colors in the Tour de France, and we will do everything possible to make ourselves, the team, and the fans proud.”

UAE Team Emirates-XRG for the 2026 Tour de France

1. Tadej Pogacar
2. Isaac del Toro
3. Adam Yates
4. Brandon McNulty
5. Felix Großschartner
6. Tim Wellens
7. Nils Politt
8. Florian Vermeersch