Tadej Pogačar, 'best cyclist in world', to stay at UAE Team Emirates until at least 2030
The Slovenian previously had a contract until 2027, but has extended by three more seasons


Tadej Pogačar will ride for UAE Team Emirates until at least 2030, it was announced on Thursday afternoon. The Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and world champion already had a contract until 2027, but his new deal gives him one of the longest in the peloton.
The Slovenian had one of the all-time years in 2024, winning 25 times in just 58 days races, including the "Triple Crown" of the Tour, Giro and World Championships, and two Monuments in Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Il Lombardia.
"I am extremely proud to be extending my time here at UAE Team Emirates," Pogačar said in a release from his squad on Thursday. "This team has been my home now the last five years and I truly can’t imagine myself anywhere else. The best moments of my career have come at UAE Team Emirates and that is a testament to all of the staff, management, teammates, and partners who all allow me to perform at the highest level.
"I’m really excited for the future. This team gives me the best chance at fighting for wins and that is exactly what I aim to do"
The 26-year-old joined the team in 2019 and hit the ground running, winning the Tour of California and three stages of the Vuelta a España, as well as finishing third overall, in his first year. Since then, he has racked up a total of 88 wins, the overwhelming majority of which have been at WorldTour level.
"It’s an incredible feeling to be able to announce this contract extension for Tadej Pogacar, the leader of our team and the best cyclist in the world," Mauro Gianetti, UAE's team boss, said. "Tadej joined the team as an ambitious 20-year-old, and we have watched him blossom into a Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and World Champion this season. His talent is clear for all to see, but he is also one of the hardest-working and dedicated cyclists in the peloton.
"Tadej deserves all of his success and I’m delighted he is staying with us for many years to come."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Pogačar's plan for 2025 remains unknown, but he's highly likely to be defending his Tour de France title, and has hinted at challenging at the Vuelta, now the only Grand Tour he hasn't won. Before those, he could well take aim at the Spring Classics once again.
The Slovenian is not alone in having a long contract. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) have contracts that run until 2029, while the UAE team of 2029 already has Pogačar, Isaac del Toro and Pablo Torres signed up. Meanwhile, Wout van Aert has a contract without an official end-date with Visma-Lease a Bike, which is a different way of doing business.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Adam is Cycling Weekly’s news editor – his greatest love is road racing but as long as he is cycling, he's happy. Before joining CW in 2021 he spent two years writing for Procycling. He's usually out and about on the roads of Bristol and its surrounds.
Before cycling took over his professional life, he covered ecclesiastical matters at the world’s largest Anglican newspaper and politics at Business Insider. Don't ask how that is related to riding bikes.
-
Tom Pidcock’s Q36.5 receive Giro d’Italia wildcard invite along with Tudor Pro Cycling
Team Polti Visit Malta and VF Group BardianiCSF - Faizane also receive invitations from RCS
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Be seen all year round with 35% off Magicshine bike lights in the Amazon Big Spring Sale
This is your last chance to seize a deal on some of the best bike lights with daylight running features. Act fast, as the sale ends at midnight tonight
By Matt Ischt-Barnard Published
-
Tadej Pogačar commemorates Strade Bianche crash with limited edition t-shirt - here's how you can buy it
Part of profits from new t-shirt will go to world champion's charity foundation
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I came pretty close' - Tom Pidcock left with mixed feelings after finishing second to Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche
Pidcock explains he didn’t want to ‘take advantage’ of world champion’s 'unfortunate' crash
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'Not the best way to win a race' - Tadej Pogačar comes back from dramatic crash to claim third Strade Bianche victory
World champion in 'a lot of pain' after falling into a ditch
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tadej Pogačar crashes into ditch at Strade Bianche, remounts bike to continue
World champion goes on to win race following rare crash
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'When he starts his Tour preparation, we’ll then see Jonas 2.0' - Jonas Vingegaard heads to Paris-Nice almost at full strength, coach says
Tim Heemskerk says the Danish star is not interested in outside noise as he attempts second stage race win of the year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'There's nothing we can do' - Tadej Pogačar is 'almost impossible to beat', says Alberto Bettiol
The world champion is the overwhelming favourite to win Strade Bianche on Saturday
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard start seasons with a bang, but their routes to the Tour de France couldn't be more different
Pogačar is off to the Classics, and won't ride a stage race until June, while Vingegaard will follow his tried and tested method
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Finally a victory' - Tadej Pogačar wins first race of 2025 with mountaintop sprint at UAE Tour
World champion now leads race by 18 seconds over Josh Tarling
By Tom Davidson Published