UAE Team Emirates

UAE entered the pro peloton in 2017 as a new team, but by taking over much of the staff and equipment of the Italian Lampre team their roots stretch back to 1991, making it one of the longest-running squads in the peloton.

It's first years were relatively unremarkable and they very nearly did not gain a place in the 2017 WorldTour after a Chinese backer failed to come up with sponsorship money. A last-minute deal struck with Abu Dhabi saw the squad saved, and a place in the WorldTour secured. Emirates airline joined the team as co-title sponsor in February 2017.

But it's fortunes really changed when it signed a talented young Slovenian rider from the Ljubljana Gusto Xaurum team for the 2019 season. Barely known across the sport, 20 year old Tadej Pogačar won three stages of the Vuelta and finished third overall that year.

The following year he won his first Tour de France at the age of 21 and has since gone on to become the greatest rider of his generation and perhaps of all time. His success has lead the team to domination throughout the calendar as they continue to sign talented young riders like Juan Ayuso and Isaac Del Toro.

As UAE grew it's investment in the team - Pogačar is reportedly paid over €4m a year the team is now considered to be the best funded team in the sport.