Tadej Pogacar commits future to UAE Team Emirates after signing five-year contract

Slovenian rider has enjoyed a successful start to his professional career, placing third at the Vuelta a Espana on his Grand Tour debut

UAE Team Emirates riders Tadej Pogacar in the peloton during the Vuelta a Espana. BettiniPhoto

UAE Team Emirates sports director Matxin Joxean Fernandez Tadej Pogacar BettiniPhoto

Tadej Pogacar before the start of a stage at the Vuelta a Espana. BettiniPhoto

Tadej Pogacar riding furing the seventh stage of the Vuelta a Espana. BettiniPhoto

Tadej Pogacar riding during Stage 9 of the Vuelta a Espana. BettiniPhoto

Tadej Pogacar riding during Stage 9 of the Vuelta a Espana. BettiniPhoto

Tadej Pogacar riding during Stage 9 of the Vuelta a Espana. BettiniPhoto

Tadej Pogacar celebrates after winning Stage 9 of the Vuelta a Espana. BettiniPhoto

Tadej Pogacar and Fabio Aru during the second stage of the Vuelta a Espana. BettiniPhoto

Tadej Pogacar celebrates after winning Stage 9 of the Vuelta a Espana. BettiniPhoto

Tadej Pogacar celebrates after winning Stage 9 of the Vuelta a Espana. BettiniPhoto

Tadej Pogacar on the podium after winning Stage 9 at the Vuelta a Espana. BettiniPhoto

Tadej Pogacar on the podium after winning Stage 9 at the Vuelta a Espana. BettiniPhoto

Tadej Pogacar on the podium after winning Stage 9 at the Vuelta a Espana. BettiniPhoto

Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar has committed his future to UAE Team Emirates after signing a new contract until the end of the 2024 season.

Pogacar, 21, turned professional with UAE Team Emirates when he joined the team in 2019 and has since proven himself to be one of the most exciting young talents on the UCI World Tour.

“I am happy to continue my relationship with UAE Team Emirates," Pogacar said in a statement. "I turned professional here and I feel very comfortable with everyone.

"I believe in the team and I want to be part of this ambitious project. The next five years will be fundamental for the team and for my career, with the hope that they will be fruitful years for both parties."

Pogacar's debut season with UAE Team Emirates was hugely successful. He won the Tour of California and the Volta ao Algarve, and claimed the young rider classification titles at the Tour of Slovenia and Tour of the Basque Country.

However, his standout performance of 2019 came in his Grand Tour debut when he finished third in the General Classification standings at the Vuelta a Espana, while also earning the Youth Classification's white jersey.

Pogacar also started 2020 in fine form, winning the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and was sitting second in the UAE Tour before the race was abandoned with two stages remaining due to the coronavirus.

“Our team has a long-term plan and we are happy that such a talented young man like Tadej has committed to our project," UAE Team Emirates president Matar Suhail Al Yabhouni Al Dhaheri said.

"We are a young but very ambitious team. The aim is not only to win the most important races in the world, but also to promote healthy lifestyles in the United Arab Emirates. Tadej will help us in both ways because in the UAE they have gone crazy for the team and its cyclists.”

UAE Team Emirates principal, Mauro Gianetti, added: "Pogačar represents the type of rider that each team would like: talented with a strong will to learn every day. Values ​​that will project him to the top of world cycling.

"Tadej won everyone over – not only with his results, but also with his attitude. The rest was just a matter of doing the paperwork.”

__________________

Tadej Pogacar interview: On a remarkable debut season and why now is time for the 'next generation'