Tadej Pogachar changed his early season race program, choosing not to defend his overall win at this month's UAE Tour and instead opting for a less intense season debut in Spain.

The two-time Tour de France winner will make his season debut on February 13 in the one-day Clasica Jaen Paraiso Interior race, which includes a gravel section, before racing the Vuelta Ciclista Andalucía-Ruta del Sol from February 15 to 19.

"I'm excited about these races and about being able to wear the number again and run with the team. I watched the first race last week on TV and enjoyed it. [I had gastroenteritis in January, which was not a lot of fun, but thankfully that's gone away and I'm feeling good. It's good to experience a new race and I'm looking forward to seeing what Jaen and Andalusia have in store for me. I can't wait to start racing again."

With the UAE Tour starting on February 20, it will be impossible for Pogachar to defend his 2022 victory in the Middle East and challenge world champion Remco Evenpole.

Adam Yates, the newest addition to UAE Team Emirates, was named by race organizers on Monday as one of the UAE Tour's big-name riders, along with Evenpore, Sam Bennett, and Caleb Yuan.

"For Tadej, the plan this year was to keep the base of the calendar pretty much the same while making some adjustments.

"Tadej is a rider who likes to stay fresh and try new things, so it made sense to start the year here in Jaen and Andalusia. The season is long, so our idea is to gradually work towards bigger goals."

"In Jaen and Andalusia we have experienced teams that we believe can do great things. Pogachar will also make his season debut here. That said, there are plenty of riders on the team who can step up to achieve great results."

Matosin recently explained to Cycling News that Pogachar's season is carefully planned, with peaks in the cobbles and the Ardennes Classics, as well as the Tour de France, where he will avenge his loss to Jonas Vingegaard in 2022.

"The idea is to do the first block of races up to the Ardennes and then rest up for the Tour. But whatever happens, it is Taddei's personality and the team's personality to be competitive in every race he takes part in," Matsin told Cycling News.

For UAE Team Emirates, the UAE Tour remains a major goal. Along with Adam Yates, the second team leader is likely to be Tour Down Under winner Jay Vine, Brandon McNulty, Joao Almeida, Juan Ayuso, Rafau Mayka, or Geroge Bennett.

"Look at the team names. It's our mini Tour de France. But in general, our idea is to have one or two top form riders in each race, regardless of category."