Tadej Pogačar, the world champion, is gearing up for his season debut at Strade Bianche in Italy this Saturday, and he's buzzing with excitement. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG confirmed their lineup on Monday, featuring Pogačar and six other talented riders: Isaac Del Toro, Jan Christen, Felix Großschartner, Domen Novak, Florian Vermeersch, and Kevin Vermaerke. Pogačar shared his enthusiasm, stating, 'Strade is a race with unforgettable memories, and I hope to be in a strong position again on Saturday. We anticipate fierce competition, as the start list is always impressive for these major events, ensuring an exhilarating experience for fans.'
This race marks Pogačar's first competition of the season, and he's eager to dive into the action after months of cheering from the sidelines. He's confident in his team's momentum, having secured numerous victories, and aims to maintain that success throughout the upcoming races. The last time Pogačar competed was in October, when he claimed the Il Lombardia title, adding to his impressive tally of 20 victories in 2025, including notable wins like the Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and multiple Tour de France stage victories.
Among the other riders on the Strade Bianche start list are previous winners Wout van Aert, Julian Alaphilippe, and Tom Pidcock, who finished as the runner-up last year. There's also growing anticipation surrounding 19-year-old Paul Seixas, considered a rising star in France, who is seen as a potential successor to Pogačar's throne. This year's Strade Bianche will be the 20th edition of the one-day race, set in Tuscany, Italy, featuring 14 gravel sectors covering 64km of the 201km route. The men's race will commence in Siena at 11:40 local time and conclude in the city's iconic Piazza del Campo around 16:30 local time.
