Adam Yates leads UAE Team Emirates charge for third home title

The UAE Team Emirates are targeting a hat-trick of wins in their home race this week - but their attempt to secure a victory treble will be done without star rider Tadej Pogacar.

The Slovenian has opted out of defending the UAE Tour title he won the last two years, with the 2023 race kicking-off with a 151-kilometre opening stage from Al Dhafra Fort to Al Mirfa on Monday.

UAE Team Emirates have instead named new signing Adam Yates to lead the charge with Brandon McNulty and Jay Vine as other possible candidates for the general classification title.

Yates won the UAE Tour in 2020 and was twice runner-up behind Pogacar during his previous two victories and the 30-year-old certainly has all the elements to retain the title for the team.

“That is the plan,” the Briton told The National at the pre-race conference at Colnago at Hudayriat Island on Sunday. “We have come here with a super-strong team and we have some good options.

“Without Tadej, it’s a different race but still there are strong riders. So, it’s not going to be easy, but I’ll do my best.

“We start on a flat route. They are expecting crosswinds in this stage but there are some big guys in the team to take the pressure off me. I’ll just try to stay behind them and stay out of trouble.”

Yates is making his first appearance this season in what will be his debut for the UAE Team Emirates after signing a three-year deal.

“There is pressure all the time in every race, but we’ll try to do our best to keep this race with us,” he added.

“Obviously, for our team the UAE Tour is a big objective. Personally, it has gone well for me here in the past few years. I’m happy to be back in the UAE.

Adam Yates signed a three-year contract with UAE Team Emirates. Antonie Robertson /