The UAE Team Emirates-XRG officially announces the roster for the Tour de France 2026 to support Tadej Pogačar in his pursuit of a fifth career victory, matching Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Induráin. The anticipations are confirmed with a solid and competitive squad in every department: the Slovenian will be accompanied to Barcelona by Isaac del Toro, Felix Großschartner, Brandon McNulty, Nils Politt, Florian Vermeersch, Tim Wellens and Adam Yates. The sporting directors for the assault on the 113th Grande Boucle will be Fabrizio Guidi, Andrej Hauptman and Simone Pedrazzini.

Men for all terrains

The Emirati team has undoubtedly played its best cards for the upcoming Tour de France 2026, calling up the most loyal and in-form men, capable of supporting the captain on every terrain and in every challenge, starting from the team time trial that will open the 113th edition next Saturday in Barcelona. As already known since the team's winter presentation for 2026, Pogačar's right-hand man will be Mexican Isaac del Toro, fresh winner of the Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes 2026 and destined to remain by the Slovenian's side on the most demanding climbs, as the last man. And who knows, perhaps even try to reach the final podium as already happened in 2023 with Adam Yates: the Briton returns to wear the number on his back after the painful withdrawal at the Giro d'Italia following the disastrous crash in Bulgaria. There will also be the trusted and versatile Tim Wellens, ready to put himself at the team's disposal not only as an engine, but also as the team's brain. The roster is completed by Brandon McNulty, Felix Großschartner, Nils Politt and the newly crowned Belgian champion Florian Vermeersch, ready to keep Pogačar always in the right positions and to control the peloton in every situation.

Hunting for a fifth victory

From the team's official website, Pogačar declares:  “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. We’ve prepared really well as a team, everyone has worked incredibly hard, and now we’re excited to finally get started in Barcelona. I feel good, I’m looking forward to racing, and I know I’ll have a fantastic group of teammates and staff around me. We have a lot of confidence in each other and have built up a lot of experience together over the years. There will be strong rivals, difficult stages and many other unpredictable moments, but we’re ready to give everything. It’s a privilege to wear these colours at the Tour de France, and we’ll do our best to make ourselves, the team and the fans proud". Since his debut victory in 2020, Pogačar has never finished higher than second place, beaten only by his main rival Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike twice: this year too, the Danish winner of the Giro d'Italia last May will be the number one danger. In case of triumph - and it would be the third consecutive after those of 2020-2021 - Pogačar would add a fifth Tour to his trophy cabinet, just like Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Induráin.