Less than a week before the start of the first WorldTour race of the year, the teams are gradually revealing their team composition for the Australian event. After INEOS Grenadiers two days ago, it’s now the turn ofUAE Team Emirates XRG to announce which riders will try to succeed the Welshman Stephen Williams winner in 2024. The Emirati team will want to start its season in the best possible way and will have solid arguments to put forward since it will have in its ranks Jhonatan Narváezrunner-up to the Welsh last year, and Jay Vinewinner in 2023.
Video – Narvaez won the Down Under Classic in 2024
Four riders will make their debut in their new colors
This race will be an opportunity to show off their new colors for four runners. Besides Jhonatan Narváez, defector from the INEOS Grenadiersthree other recruits will be present, namely Rune Herregodts, Julius Johansen (both formerIntermarché-Wanty) and the very promising Pablo Torres (who joined the pro team after a year in the continental team where he notably finished 2nd in the Tower of the Future winning two stages). Finally the experienced Marc Soler (31 years old) and Rui Oliveira (28 years old) complete the team. We could find the Portuguese in the mass sprints while Jhonatan Narváez and the local Jay Vine should share the leadership of the team as soon as the road rises. On his training site, the latter declared: “I’m really looking forward to this race. I had a great summer of preparation in Australia and I can’t wait to return to Adelaide for the Tour Down Under, a place where I have great memories. We have a very strong team for the race and we are aiming for big results.“
