Adam Yates named UAE Team Emirates co-leader due to Tadej Pogacar fitness concerns

UAE Team Emirates have named Adam Yates as their co-leader for the Tour de France due to fitness concerns of two-time champion Tadej Pogacar.

Pogacar, the world's top-ranked road cyclist, was in imperious form this year until breaking his wrist in a fall during April's Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

While Pogacar said he is happy with his preparations, team principal Mauro Gianetti said his lack of recent races has forced UAE Team Emirates' hand.

"We really don't have any choice because Tadej spent five weeks without being able to train on the road," Gianetti said. "He has worked hard. We have a lot of faith in him but there are no miracles in cycling."

Pogacar returned to competition last week by winning the time-trial and road race at the National Championships for his 13th and 14th victories of the season.

"That doesn't mean he'll be 100 per cent ready for Saturday," Gianetti added.

A year ago, Jonas Vingegaard, aided by his Jumbo-Visma team's collective strength, outlasted the daring Pogacar in a ruthless war of attrition in the mountains.

Pogacar had finished first in 2021 for his second straight Tour de France title, with Vingegaard second, and the duel between the two is the headline act at this race.

Yates, who won the Tour de France white jersey as best young rider in 2016, joined UAE Team Emirates from Ineos this season and recently described Pogacar as "the superstar of the team".

"But, who knows, sometimes you get injured or sick and you always need back up," Yates said in the build up to Saturday's opening stage in the Bilbao back-country.

Egan Bernal, winner in 2019, makes his return to the Tour de France after he suffered a near-fatal crash in a high-speed collision in January last year. Bernal is not expected to