Dan Martin, Alexander Kristoff and other UAE Team Emirates riders competing at Tour de France 2018

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  • Dan Martin will target the general classification at the Tour de France but his UAE Team Emirates squad will have split ambitions with sprinter Alexander Kristoff also named in the squad.

    Irishman Martin is looking to build on his 2017 performance when he finished sixth in the Tour despite racing for almost two weeks with two broken vertebrae in his back after a crash on stage nine.

    Ahead of the start of Saturday’s three-week long race, we take a look at the seven UAE Team Emirates riders who will be on the start line at Noirmoutier-en-l’Île.

    DAN MARTIN
    Age: 31

    The Irishman comes into the La Grande Boucle off the back of a fourth place finish at the Criterium du Dauphine last month. Managed a sixth place finish at the Tour last year and should at least match that this time, depending on how dominant Chris Froome and Richie Porte are on the roads of France.

    ALEXANDER KRISTOFF 
    Age: 31

    The Norwegian may not be the same maestro from the 2014 and 2015 seasons, but he is still far from a fading force. Winning the Eschborn-Frankfurt and GP du canton d’Argovie in recent months shows there is fight and pace still in him.

    DARWIN ATAPUMA 
    Age: 30

    The Colombian may have failed to scale the same heights of 2016 when he finished ninth in the Giro d’Italia, but his qualities as a rider are unquestionable. Produced one of the most inspiring rides of the Tour de France last year, finishing second on stage 18 behind Warren Barguil, earning the red bib for his efforts as the most aggressive rider. UAE’s best climber.

    MARCO MARCATO
    Age: 34

    The Italian produced a season-best performance at the Giro when he finished fifth on stage 18. Crossed the line in 18th at Paris Roubaix and 25th at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Elite to underline his status as a marquee sprinter. His experience and general race-craft on the flat stages will be crucial to helping Kristoff win a maiden stage at the Tour.

    KRISTIJAN DURASEK
    Age: 30

    Another rider who is starting to find his rhythm at the right time, with a top-10 finish at the Tour of California in May. His superb stage win at the Tour of Croatia last year was among his standout moments with the team, outsprinting Vincenzo Nibali at the Biokovo mountain finish.

    OLIVIERO TROIA
    Age: 23

    The youngster has proven he can compete at the highest level, with top-15 finishes at the GC at Hammer Stavanger and Hammer Sportzone Limburg. In his first Tour de France, the Italian will be hoping to play a pivotal role in putting Martin in the best position possible to challenge Froome and Co.

    ROBERTO FERRARI
    Age: 35

    The Italian produced a stunning display at the Volta a Catalunya in March to secure two top-five finishes. After a poor display at the Tour de Suisse, Ferrari will be bidding to re-discover his form around the rolling hills of France.

    RORY SUTHERLAND
    Age: 36

    An experienced rider, the Australian is a domestique with the team and supports Martin and Kristoff in their battle for victory. In his first season with the UAE outfit, Sutherland comes into the race on the back of a season-best 20th place finish on stage three of the Criterium du Dauphine.

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