UAE Team Emirates may be without team leader and champion Tadej Pogachar for Sunday's Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

Pogachar announced Saturday morning that he will fly to Slovenia following La Flèche Wallonne and miss the race after his partner's mother passed away. Brandon McNulty has been called up in his place, and Marc Hirsch will lead the team in Sunday's race.

The Swiss rider said at the team presentation on Saturday that if Pogachar were to race, the team would be willing to move faster and be more aggressive.

"It's especially sad that Tadej won't be here, but clearly there are more important things in life than cycling. 'I'll do my best for the race,' he said. I'll do my best for the race. I'll have to be aggressive tomorrow, I'll have to be aggressive, I'll have to be fast, I'll have to be fast.

"Taddei was in good shape, so it was all about taking him up the climb and controlling the race. 'Now we are in a position where we can create situations early on. Because there are a lot of guys who can go deep in the final, and I think we're in a good position now to make things happen early on.

He will be part of a strong team for the 257km La Doyenne, including Marc Soler, Diego Ulissi, George Bennett, Jan Polancq, and Vegard Stake Rengen. Although there are no longer any contenders for the championship, this team will still have a significant influence in the race.

Team principal Mauro Gianetti said that the human aspect is very important and there is no question that Pogachar will be given time away from the race.

"It is very, very difficult for him and of course for us. The human aspect is very important. But at the same time, Tadej needs to take a break and use his energy and head for other things in other situations."

"Of course, this was his last goal of the spring, but the season is long. This moment is not the most important moment for the team. We value our riders."

While Pogachar was still racing, Hirschi had already been given free rein. The 23-year-old had a good late start after hip surgery, winning the Per Sempre Alfredo, finishing third in the Settimana Coppi e Bartali, and placing in the top 10 in the GP Industria, GP Indurain, and Amstel Gold Race.

However, he failed to finish in the top ten at the recent Brabantspaille and La Flèche Wallonne, finishing outside the top 20 in both races. He explained that he had developed a problem with his hip in the past week or so, and noted that the problem could persist for a year after surgery.

"I was very good in Amstel, but not so good in Brabants and Flèche. So I hope to be in good conditions like in Amstel and stay with the best group on the final climb. I hope I have enough legs to stay with the best group."

"I still have some hip adaptation left. It will take a year before it is completely normal. But the hip is definitely getting better. But the last few days I've had problems with the muscles. Hopefully it will be resolved on Sunday.