UAE Team Emirates announce squad for Vuelta España

UAE Team Emirates have named 8 riders for the final Grand Tour of the year – La Vuelta España. The Emirati team experienced a breakthrough showing at the 2019 edition of the Spanish race, with Tadej Pogačar claiming three stage wins and third overall in Madrid, as well as the white jersey for best young rider.

The shorter than usual parcours (18 stages rather than 21) will start in the Basque Country and skirt the North-western peninsula before heading south to finish in Madrid.

The team goes into the race with a dynamic squad who will focus on stage victories, with De La Cruz and Formolo also capable of a strong showing in the GC. Jasper Philipsen will lead the line in the sprints.

Team Manager Matxin Fernandez (Spa) along with Sports Directors Neil Stephens (Aus), Aurelio Corral (Spa), Andrej Hauptman (Slo) and assistant director Manuele Mori (Ita) will lead the following 8 riders :

 
David De La Cruz (Spa)
Davide Formolo (Ita)
Alessandro Covi (Ita)
Jasper Philipsen (Bel)
Rui Costa (Por)
Sergio Henao (Col)
Aleksandr Riabushenko (Blr)
Ivo Oliveira (Por)

Matxin Fernandez (Team Manager) : “We expect an intense race from the beginning with just 18 stages and we have accounted for that in our team selection. The team is a balance of younger riders who are getting their first opportunity at a Grand Tour, mixed with more experienced riders who will take on more responsibility. David De La Cruz is racing on home turf in Spain and he deserves a chance to show what he can do after a solid Tour de France. Formolo is also coming in fresh after recovering well from his crash at the Tour. Rui Costa and Sergio Henao are our veterans who offer huge experience and will have their own opportunities.

For the few sprint stages we have Jasper Philipsen and he spearheads the block of four young talented riders : Covi, Riabushenko and Ivo Oliveira . Our philosophy is to bring-on these young guys and to also fight and be present in every stage of the race.”