The Slovenian rider has claimed the coveted Tour de France three times and has recently been awarded the UCI World Tour Best Rider title for the fourth year in a row.
UAE Team Emirates, which was recently awarded UCI World Tour Best Team for the year 2024, verified today that world champion Tadej Pogacar has extended his contract with the team till 2030.
Pogacar joined UAE Team Emirates in 2019, in what has been an outstanding career till now. Ever since Pogacar joined the team, he has been busy receiving 88 wins across General Classifications, as well as Stage Racing and One-Day Classics, which is a stunning testimony to his work ethic and talent, across all forms of racing.
Pogacar, who is also the reigning UCI World Tour Best Rider, had a fourth season that is unlike any others. At the 2024 season, the Slovenian superstar won the Tour de France and the Giro D’Italia, celebrated some important one day wins including Strade Bianche, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Il Lombardia just to name a few, along with winning the UCI world champion title following an impressive display in Zurich.
There hasn’t been a rider since Stephen Roche won in 1987 who has won a Triple Crown ( that is the Giro D’Italia , Tour de France and World Championships) and Pogacar’s collection of 25 wins within a period of 58 day racing is a record that no one in professional cycling has achieved.
“I am really happy that I am going to prolong my stay with UAE Team Emirates. I have spent the last five years with this team and I do not see myself anywhere else,” said Pogacar.
According to the 26-year-old, “My best career moments all happened at the pages of UAE Team Emirates because of staff, management, partners, and teammates who make it possible for me to compete at such a high level.”
“It’s a wonderful feeling to bring forward Tadej Pogacar’s contract extension. He is the leader of our team and the best cyclist today in the world. Tadej Pogacar was only 20 when he joined the team, and this year’s Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and World Championship has seen him grow into a champion. ‘It is evident that he has God-given talent, but luck does not come just from talent – he is one of the most industrious riders in the peloton too. Tadej earns every piece of success’ I’m happy that he will be with us for many years,” said Mauro Gianetti – Team Principle and CEO of UAE Team Emirates.
‘This is a moment of pride not just for Tadej but for the whole team and the cycling community here in the UAE. Tadej is an exceptional athlete who represents the UAE well. There are so many reasons that the next generation looks up to him and adores him. It’s been an honor to witness Tadej’s evolution to the person that he is today and indeed, him smashing the targets of our team is something that makes me really proud.
As this region is witnessing our sport grow from strength to strength, there is certainly no doubt that Tadej, as well as his fellow teammates, are among the key factors to this. It’s a red letter day for the cycling world and the team is looking forward to the future with great anticipation,’ said Matar Suhail Al Yabhouni Al Dhaheri, President of UAE Team Emirates.