The management of UAE Team Emirates has expressed full confidence in Tadej Pogačar 's ability to tackle any challenge, from the upcoming Critérium du Dauphiné to the Tour de France.

The Slovenian rider is set to take on both Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) in the Dauphiné, which is seen as a dress rehearsal for the Tour. It will be the first time the three champions have faced each other in a stage race since last year’s Tour.

For Pogačar, who has not competed in the Dauphiné since 2020 when he finished fourth before winning his first Tour, this also marks a return to competition following his triumph in Liège-Bastogne-Liège at the end of April.

Sports director Hauptman said firmly: 'We are following our plan, which we believe is the right one. We are aware that Vingegaard and Evenepoel will be at the top level at the Tour, but we will be at the top level too. We are not afraid of Vingegaard, we are not afraid of anyone.'

The Dauphiné will be a key test ahead of the Tour de France, with similar conditions and competition. Pogačar has already completed a training camp at altitude in the Sierra Nevada and will travel directly to the French race. He will then follow up with another training camp at altitude in the Alps before the Tour, which starts on July 5 in Lille.

Special attention will be given to the first week in northern France, which could be very nervous, and the return to the Col de La Loze, where last year Pogačar definitively lost the Tour to Vingegaard. As Hauptman pointed out: 'There are several climbs where Tadej has not won yet, including the Col de la Loze. This will certainly be an extra motivation for him.'

Sprint Cycling Photo