Tadey Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), better known for his two Tour de France victories than his spring classics prowess, enters Saturday's Strade Bianche with one thing in mind: victory.

The 23-year-old has missed the podium on three previous occasions. Last year, Pogacar made a successful breakaway but was attacked by Van der Pol on the steep gravel climb of Le Torfe with 13km to go, finishing seventh; in 2020, he finished 13th; and in 2019, he finished 30th in his debut race.

"It's no secret that I like Strade and it's a race I want to win, but I have (Alessandro) Covi, who is in great form, and experienced riders like (Diego) Ulissi, so I'm well covered," Pogacar said.

Pogacar may bring some cyclocross magic to the race, like Van der Pol and Wout Van Art: he won the Ciklokros Ljubljana cyclocross race this winter. He has also shown his ability in major one-day races, winning Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Ile Lombardia last season.

Finally, Pogacar, who has won two mountain stages and the overall classification in the UAE Tour, has the climbing form needed for the steep climbs that will define Strade Bianche. If he stumbles, teammate Covi (winner of the Alcalá la Real stage at Ruta del Sol) will cover his moves.

UAE Team Emirates competing in Strade Bianche: Mikkel Bjarg, Alessandro Covi, Maximiliano Richeze, Vegard Stake Rengen, Tadej Pogachar, Marc Soler and Diego Ulissi.

From Strade Bianche, the team headed up the coast to Tirreno-Adriatico, where Pogachar would defend his title. The race ended in a short final time trial, but Pogacar expects a hard race.

"Tirreno-Adriatico was a big and important win in my career last year. The race format has changed a bit from last year, but as always it will be a long, hard stage every day."

UAE Team Emirates, Tirreno-Adriatico to: Pascal Ackermann, Mikel Bjarg, Davide Formolo, Rafal Mayka, Tadei Pogachar, Marc Soler, Maximiliano Richeze