Vermeersch and Narváez add to Pogačar's Classics armoury 🛡️
We speak to both riders after their moves to UAE Team Emirates (plus a special January sale on subscriptions)
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How do you improve a WorldTour team that has almost everything?
Well, unless they’re in the market for a world-class sprinter - and by all accounts, they were - then the answer, in UAE Team Emirates’ case, is to improve the Spring Classics core.
With the arrivals of Florian Vermeersch and Jhonatan Narváez, that’s exactly what the team has done as they look to support Tadej Pogačar with increased firepower and depth next season.
Pogačar will make a concerted effort to target the Spring Classics next season, with Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo, Gent-Wevelgem, E3 Saxo Classic, and the Tour of Flanders on his programme ahead of the Ardennes.
Although Paris-Roubaix is missing from the Slovenian’s schedule, it’s clear that the 26-year-old will focus on the one-day arena before turning his attention to the Tour de France, Vuelta a España and then the World Championships.
UAE Team Emirates were no slouches in the Spring Classics last year, with Pogačar winning Strade Bianche and taking third in Milan-San Remo. His teammates finished third, fourth and fifth in the Tour of Flanders, fourth in E3, and fourth once more in Paris-Roubaix.