Pogačar returns hoping to defend title at Strade Bianche

UAE Team Emirates-XRG will aim to add to their 13 victories so far this season as Tadej Pogačar leads the charge on the white Tuscan roads of Siena at Strade Bianche (8 March) in Italy.

Pogačar holds two previous victories at Strade Bianche to his name already from 2022 and 2024, and will be hoping to repeat his UAE Tour winning form on the streets of Siena when the race arrives to the Piazza del Campo on Sunday afternoon.

Pogačar : “Strade is a race where I have some great memories. My track record there is pretty good and I hope to be up at the pointy end of the action again on Saturday. We can expect some strong rivals – the startlist is always on a high level for these big races and it should make things exciting both for us and for the fans.

It was good to get the season started in UAE, winning made it even better obviously. The team is on a good wave at the moment with many wins already and we’ll hope to continue that over the next races.”

The team will be guided by Sports Manager Matxin Fernandez (Spa) and the Sports Director pairing of Andrej Hauptman (Slo) and Manuele Mori (Ita).

Strade Bianche [1.UWT] – 08-Mar-2025

Filippo Baroncini (Ita)

Isaac Del Toro (Mex)

Felix Grossschartner (Aus)

Domen Novak (Slo)

Tadej Pogačar (Slo)

Florian Vermeersch (Bel)

Tim Wellens (Bel)

Meanwhile on Wednesday, the in-form Juan Ayuso and Antonio Morgado will lead a young team at the Trofeo Laigueglia (5 March) in Italy. Ayuso took a third place podium at last year’s edition and will hope to build on his strong start to the season.

Sports Directors Fabrizio Guidi (Ita) and Marco Marzano (Ita) will oversee proceedings.

Trofeo Laigueglia [1.Pro] – 05-Mar-2025

Igor Arrieta (Spa)

Juan Ayuso (Spa)

Filippo Baroncini (Ita)

Alessandro Covi (Ita)

Antonio Morgado (Por)

Adria Pericas (Spa) (Gen Z)

Enea Sambinello (Ita) (Gen Z)