UAE Team Emirates to go on the offensive at Liège in Pogacar's absence

HUY, BELGIUM - APRIL 20: Marc Hirschi of Switzerland and UAE Team Emirates (C) competes during the 86th La Flèche Wallonne 2022 - Men's Elite a 201,1km one day race from Blegny to Mur de Huy 204m / #WorldTour / #FlecheWallonne / on April 20, 2022 in Huy, Belgium. (Photo by Bas Czerwinski/Getty Images)
Marc Hirschi will be a strong contender for UAE Team Emirates (Image credit: Getty Images)

UAE Team Emirates may be without their team leader and reigning champion Tadej Pogačar for Sunday's Liège-Bastogne-Liège, but the team have quickly adapted their tactics ahead of the race and are set to go on the offensive in the Slovenian's absence.

Pogačar announced on Saturday morning that he would miss the race, having flown to Slovenia following La Flèche Wallonne after his partner's mother passed away. Brandon McNulty was called up in his place, while Marc Hirschi will now lead the squad at Sunday's race.

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Senior news writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Prior to joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly, Rouleur, and CyclingTips.

 

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France and the spring Classics, and has interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel, Demi Vollering, and Anna van der Breggen.

 

As well as original reporting, news and feature writing, and production work, Dani also oversees The Leadout newsletter and How to Watch guides throughout the season. Their favourite races are Strade Bianche and the Volta a Portugal.