Isaac del Toro, Adam Yates and Brandon McNulty headline a powerhouse UAE squad as Tadej Pogačar chases a record-tying fifth Tour title.
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Pogačar, right, sees top support in his bid for a record-tying fifth yellow jersey. (Photo: Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
Updated June 29, 2026 05:14AM
Tadej Pogačar was already the favorite to win the Tour de France.
UAE Emirates-XRG didn’t leave much to chance Monday, naming a stacked seven-man support crew for bid at a record-tying fifth yellow jersey.
Isaac del Toro. Adam Yates. Brandon McNulty. Nils Politt. Tim Wellens. Felix Großschartner. Florian Vermeersch.
Even without João Almeida, Marc Soler, Pavel Sivakov, or Jay Vine, UAE still brings what might be the strongest team in the 2026 Tour.
“We’ve prepared really well as a team, everyone has worked incredibly hard, and now we’re excited to finally get started in Barcelona,” Pogačar said as UAE confirmed its eight-man roster Monday.
UAE brings firepower on the flats and mountains in a balanced but world-class deep squad of hitters to fully back the Slovenian superstar.
“I feel good, I’m looking forward to racing, and I know I’ll have a fantastic group of teammates around me,” Pogačar said Monday. “We have a lot of confidence in each other and have built up a lot of experience together over the years.”
And with Pogačar chasing history, UAE is sending a Tour-crushing machine.
Del Toro making Mexican history
Del Toro will debut as one of the most anticipated Tour rookies in recent memory (not counting Paul Seixas, of course).
The 22-year-old would probably be leading half the teams in France. Instead, he’ll spend July riding for Pogačar.
Hot off winning the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alps, “El Torito” is expected to be the last man in the mountains.
Del Toro is playing down the pressure, and insists he’s coming to fully support Pogačar.
He’ll also be making history as just the third Mexican to start the Tour de France, and the first since Miguel Arroyo in 1997.
The mountain crew: Yates and McNulty
When Pogačar wants to light up the climbs — be it on the Tourmalet or over the Galibier — UAE has the riders to turn the knife before he even accelerates.
Yates is back after crashing out of the Giro. At 33, the former Tour podium finisher is healthy again and is ready for his 10th Tour start.
McNulty returns for his first Tour since 2022, and the Arizonan gives UAE another rider who can set tempo or cover the dangerous moves deep in the mountains.
Add up Del Toro, Yates, and McNulty, and no GC favorite will have the front-line climbing support like Pogačar.
The engine room
The other half of the team will be working in the trenches.
Pogačar will still need protection on the flats, and UAE has that covered with two classics brawlers.
Politt has emerged as one of the best bodyguards in the peloton. Vermeersch adds another classics motor who can fight for position, chase down breaks, and keep Pogačar out of the wind.
Wellens — back in top health — brings punch and road captain wisdom.
The last addition is Großschartner, who can cover moves, attack, and survive chaotic terrain.
Rivals won’t have it easy
UAE’s Tour 8 is the nightmare scenario for everyone trying to beat Pogačar, who arrives after a spectacular 2026.
The UAE confirmation Monday comes as strongest GC field of the Pogačar era is lining up in Barcelona on July 4.
Jonas Vingegaard is back in full health. Remco Evenepoel has the Red Bull super team behind him, and Seixas is debuts with huge expectations.
But Pogačar will bring arguably the best team in the race.
“There will be strong rivals, difficult stages and many other unpredictable moments, but we’re ready to give everything,” Pogačar said.
Beating Peak Pogačar was already a near-impossible task.
Now everyone has to get through UAE first.
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