'Pogacar’s preparation was first-class and it was no surprise he mastered Tour de France'

UAE Team Emirates team principal Mauro Gianetti lauds inspirational leadership of Slovenian rider

UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar is lifted by teammates and staff members on the podium after winning the Tour de France. Reuters

UAE Team Emirates team's Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar holds up his bike. AFP

Tour de France winner Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, Eritrea's Biniam Girmay, wearing the best sprinter's green jersey, Ecuador's Richard Carapaz, wearing the best climber's dotted jersey, and Belgium's Remco Evenepoel, wearing the best young rider's white jersey. AP

UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar celebrates on the podium after winning stage 21 and winning the Tour de France. Reuters

UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar celebrates after winning stage 21. Reuters

UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar winning the Tour de France. Reuters

Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, rides during stage 21. AP

UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar on his way to winning the Tour de France. Reuters

UAE Team Emirates' Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar warms up prior to heading out. AFP

Belgium's Wout van Aert crosses the line. AP

Latvia's Krists Neilands celebrates with his family after crossing the finish line. AP

Britain's Mark Cavendish greets spectators when arriving at the finish line of his final Tour de France. AP

British rider Mark Cavendish crosses the finish line. EPA

Alpecin-Deceuninck team's Belgian rider Jasper Philipsen cycles during the 21st and final stage of the 111th edition of the Tour de France. AFP

Switzerland's Silvan Dillier is cheered on by Belgium fans. AP

I am so proud. The Tour de France is renowned as the toughest sporting event in the world, and I couldn't be more elated with what we accomplished. The entire team's hard work and devotion made this victory an enormous occasion not just for us, but for the entire UAE.

Each member of our team was exceptional. Preparation for the Tour de France starts long before the Grand Depart, with countless training days behind the scenes. Our riders benefitted from a superb altitude camp and entered the race ready to give their all. Despite the strength of our rivals, we were confident and well-prepared to succeed.

Our meticulous selection process ensured that every rider had a specific role to play, from Nils (Politt) to Adam (Yates), everyone was fantastic. Tadej Pogacar’s inspirational leadership drove his teammates on throughout the Tour.

There are many highlights for me from this year’s race. Stage Four showcased our team's power as we set a relentless pace, providing the perfect platform for one of Tadej’s iconic attacks – which turned out to be a sign of things to come. On Stage 14, our strategy was executed to perfection, with Adam’s surprise attack demonstrating our tactical astuteness to slingshot Tadej to another stage win.

Stage 15 saw Tadej deliver yet another flawless performance. His preparation was first-class, and it was no surprise to us how he masterfully managed his efforts stage-by-stage throughout the Tour.

He responded effortlessly to Team Visma Lease-a-Bike’s high tempo and Jonas Vingegaard’s attack. Our intimate knowledge of Isola, coupled with tackling the climb over 20 times during training camp, kept us calm and in control.

Tadej seized every opportunity, extending his lead and even catching the breakaway to take another stage win. Although the General Classification was now firmly in our grasp, we had to remain absolutely focused as we knew anything can happen at any moment in the Tour de France.

The final stage in Nice was a dream. Being a Monegasque resident, Tadej’s familiarity with the course played a pivotal role in securing a record sixth stage win. Witnessing the team’s celebrations at the finish line was incredibly special.

UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar celebrates on the podium with the overall leader's yellow jersey after winning the 19th stage of the Tour de France on Friday, July 19, 2024. AFP

UAE Team Emirates' Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar after winning the 19th stage of Tour de France. AFP

Tadej Pogacar celebrates his fourth stage win of the year. EPA

UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar rides ahead of Soudal Quick-Step rider Remco Evenepoel during Stage 19. AFP

Tadej Pogacar crosses the finish line to win the 19th stage of the Tour de France. AFP

UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar celebrates after winning Stage 19. Reuters

Tadej Pogacar is on the brink of winning the Tour de France. AP

UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar celebrates winning stage 19. Reuters

Soudal Quick-Step rider Remco Evenepoel, centre, is flanked by Team Visma - Lease rider Jonas Vingegaard, left, and Tadej Pogacar. AFP

Riders during Stage 19 of the Tour de France. EPA

It was a testament to the collective effort and spirit that carried us through the race. The tireless work and dedication over the entire three weeks came to fruition and it was heartwarming to see how genuinely proud and happy the riders were for each other. Their camaraderie and togetherness was on full display, and it was a joy to see their hard work and perseverance rewarded in such spectacular fashion.

Over the 21 stages, my pride in the whole team was immense. Behind each rider’s performance was a dedicated and hardworking staff and support team, from mechanics to masseurs and physios. Their constant commitment and unremitting efforts continue to form the backbone of the team’s success. Their contribution cannot be overstated.

The impact of the Tour de France extends far beyond Europe. We witness the growth and development of cycling in the UAE each year, and it is inspiring to see. There is still plenty to be done, but the future looks very promising for cycling in the UAE.

Our success would not be possible without the incredible support back home, so I need to give a heartfelt thank you from myself and the entire team. The synergy between our performances and the unwavering support from the UAE made this Tour de France a highlight of my career.