Tadej Pogačar's Spring Classics campaign faces an unexpected challenge as he grapples with the absence of two key domestiques. How might this setback impact his dominance and chances of winning Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix? While Pogačar himself has yet to race in 2026, the season's crash-prone nature has dealt a blow to his UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad. Tim Wellens, the Belgian Champion, suffered a right collarbone fracture after a hard crash at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, ruling him out of the Classics. Jhonatan Narváez, the Ecuadorian Champion, also faces a lengthy absence due to multiple stable thoracic vertebrae compression fractures sustained at the Tour Down Under. These injuries significantly weaken Pogačar's support squad, which was crucial for his lead-outs and positioning in previous races. Mikkel Bjerg, who supported Pogačar in both cobbled Monuments in 2025, is also out with a fractured hand and AC joint, caused by a kangaroo incident at the Tour Down Under. Despite these setbacks, UAE still boasts a strong lineup with riders like Isaac del Toro, Florian Vermeersch, Nils Politt, Jan Christen, and António Morgado, who have proven their ability to step up in one-day races. However, the absence of Narváez and Wellens could be a significant disadvantage, as they were instrumental in crucial lead-outs and positioning for Pogačar. Vermeersch, the current Gravel World Champion, has made a strong start to the Classics, but his success may not translate to the more challenging Milan-San Remo and cobbled classics. Pogačar's ability to freestyle in Flanders and Roubaix may mitigate the impact of these absences, but the loss of his top domestiques could still hinder his chances in these races. The Slovenian rider's dominance in one-day races is expected to continue, but the team's role in getting him close to the wheels he needs may be more challenging without Narváez and Wellens. The question remains: can UAE adapt and still achieve success in the Spring Classics?
