'I won’t have the best legs' – UAE Team Emirates-XRG have Tim Wellens back from broken collarbone just in time for the Ardennes Classics

Tim Wellens is set to make his return to competitive racing with UAE Team Emirates-XRG at De Brabantse Pijl this Friday, having recovered from a broken collarbone sustained in March. The Belgian rider missed several key cobbled Classics, including Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne and Paris-Roubaix, which left team leader Tadej Pogačar without a crucial support rider during those events. Wellens’s comeback comes just in time for the Ardennes Classics, a series of races where he has previously enjoyed success, notably winning Brabantse Pijl in 2018. Despite his enthusiasm to race again, Wellens admits he is not yet at peak fitness after being off the bike for three weeks and losing significant conditioning. He expressed a realistic outlook on his form, acknowledging that he won’t have the best legs but remains committed to supporting the team’s ambitions as he rebuilds his strength. His return is timely, as UAE Team Emirates will rely on his experience and tactical acumen, particularly in the Amstel Gold Race, where he will play a key role in aiding the squad’s leaders. The team’s lineup for the Ardennes Classics includes several strong riders alongside Wellens, such as Benoît Cosnefroy, a former winner who recently joined UAE, and promising talents like Filippo Baroncini and Mikkel Bjerg. While some team members, including Isaac del Toro and Jan Christen, remain sidelined due to injury, the presence of Pogačar ensures UAE will continue to be among the favourites, especially for Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the final Monument of the spring campaign. Pogačar is focusing on this race after missing Amstel Gold Race to prepare for his title defence. Looking ahead, Wellens’s return is not only significant for the Ardennes but also for the upcoming Tour de France, where he is expected to resume his role as a key domestique for Pogačar. UAE Team Emirates will be aiming to secure a record-equalling fifth yellow jersey, and having Wellens back in the fold strengthens their support structure. His experience and resilience will be vital as the team navigates the demanding summer Grand Tour season.