Tadei Pogacar will lead the UAE Team Emirates squad in this week's Criterium du Dauphiné, supported by Italian road race champion Davide Formolo.

Pogacar finished third in last year's Vuelta a España (his first Grand Tour), and although he has ruled out the possibility of competing in La Grande Boucle, the 21-year-old is still considered one of the favorites for this year's Tour.

"After riding for the first time in Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo, I'm going into the Dauphiné with a good distance. Both races were really unique and great experiences and I am happy with my condition," Pogacar said.

"Some of the stages here in the Dauphiné might suit me, but my main goal is to build strength for the Tour de France.

Formolo finished second in Strade Bianche earlier this month and, as Pogacar suggested, may also have a chance for a stage win and a top overall finish in the Dauphiné, which starts Wednesday in Clermont-Ferrand ahead of the Tour.

Other riders starting the Dauphiné include Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo), Mikel Landa (Bahrain McLaren), and Alcare Samsic's Nairo Quintana, all of whom have been steadily improving.

The real topic is the prospect of another Team Ineos vs. Jumbo-Visma battle, with defending Tour champion Eoghan Bernal, four-time winner Chris Froome, 2018 Tour winner Geraint Thomas, 2017 Giro d'Italia champion Tom Dumoulin, 2019 Vuelta and recent Tour de l'Ain winner Primoz Roglic, and Steven Kruijswijk, who finished third in last year's Tour.

But Pogacar and his UAE Team Emirates teammates will do their best to make their presence known in such an important race. A top or near-top finish in the Dauphiné would give them a clear psychological advantage heading into the final two weeks before the start of the Tour de France in Nice on August 29.