UAE Team Emirates is gearing up to participate in the Tour de France with an incredibly strong team. The team composition, revealed in December, will feature newcomer Pavel Sivakov. The 26-year-old French cyclist commented to the British site GCN: “I think a team like this has never been seen before.”
Fireworks show
“It will be like a fireworks show,” said Sivakov, newly arrived at UAE Team Emirates from INEOS Grenadiers. During the Tour, he will be in the service of Tadej Pogacar. The UAE Team Emirates also boasts heavyweight names such as Adam Yates, João Almeida, Juan Ayuso, Marc Soler, Tim Wellens, and Nils Politt.
“Despite having a dream team on paper, the pressure to win the Tour falls on Visma-Lease a Bike,” notes Sivakov.
“Although we have a privileged position, the real pressure is on them, as they won three Grand Tours last season. I’m looking forward to this challenge.”
Tadej Pogacar has been chasing victory for two years
Pogacar won the Tour in 2020 and 2021, but in the two subsequent editions, he had to settle for second place. Both times, Jonas Vingegaard was very strong.
“The idea that we can beat them next year gives a certain motivation. Winning is rewarding, but we also want to end their winning streak. That would be good,” says Sivakov.
Check out the likely UAE Team Emirates lineup for the 2024 Tour de France.
- Tadej Pogacar
- João Almeida
- Juan Ayuso
- Pavel Sivakov
- Adam Yates
- Marc Soler
- Tim Wellens
- Nils Politt