Two-time UAE Tour winner Tadej Pogacar eyeing Tour de France hat-trick

Slovenian wants to cherish his career as he launches new UAE cycling academy in Abu Dhabi

UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar celebrates after winning the UAE Tour on Saturday, February 26, 2022. AFP

UAE Team Emirates' Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar won the UAE Tour 2022 on Saturday. AFP

UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the UAE Tour. AFP

Tadej Pogacar celebrates after successfully defending his UAE Tour title. AFP

Riders compete during stage seven of the UAE Tour from Al Jahili Fort to Jebel Hafeet. AFP

Riders compete during stage 7 of the UAE Tour. AFP

Riders compete during stage 7 of the United Arab Emirates cycling tour, from Al Jahili Fort to Jebel Hafeet, on February 26, 2022. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)

UAE Team Emirates' cyclist Tadej Pogacar, right, and Rafal Majka on Saturday. AFP

Riders compete during stage seven of the UAE Tour. AFP

Riders during stage seven of the UAE Tour. AFP

With the pressure of retaining his UAE Tour crown behind him, UAE Team Emirates star Tadej Pogacar’s next goal is completing a hat-trick of Tour de France titles.

The Slovenian, 23, won the seventh and final stage of the UAE Tour from Adam Yates of Ineos Grenadiers at the summit of Jebel Hafeet on Saturday.

“I want to enjoy this career in cycling as long as possible,” Pogacar told The National as he helped to launch a new cycling academy programme by Aldar, in partnership with UAE Team Emirates, at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on Sunday.

“I’m in good shape and good races are coming, so I say to myself just go and enjoy the races. I love cycling and I love racing. That’s my goal, to enjoy what I’m doing now."

Pogacar revealed that winning the UAE Tour for the second time was the team’s big goal from the start of the season.

“We have been preparing hard for this race,” he said. “And now we have done it, we are really proud and happy to win our home race.

“With this race behind us, there is no pressure any more. There is always a bit of pressure when you know you are defending a title, especially when it’s the home event for a home team, it’s really important.

“You need to bring the A game to the table in such races. I put some pressure on myself trying to do my best, and when you do your best you cannot do anything else. You don’t have to regret on anything.”

The UAE Team Emirates rider believes the team is “super strong” this year and is in good shape to win a lot titles.

“We have some new faces in the team and we understand each other really well,” he said.

“As teammates we fit in perfectly. This year we are going to be super strong, and for me, the main objective is the Tour de France, followed by the Vuelta a Espana.”

Aldar launched a new cycling academy programme in partnership with UAE Team Emirates in Abu Dhabi. Photo: UAE Team Emirates

Pogacar is aware of the task ahead.

“To defend a title every year is very hard in cycling,” he said. “It’s so hard to predict because of the competitiveness. I just hope the preparation goes well and like every year we have to take [it] step by step.

“The Tour de France is the main goal this year again. I can now really focus on this race with the UAE Tour out of the way.”

Pogacar was presented the UAE Golden Visa on the podium after being crowned the UAE Tour winner.

“I was really honoured to receive the Golden Visa,” he said. “I was really surprised and a huge thank you to everyone.

“Now I can visit the UAE more frequently and perhaps spend my holidays as well. When I come here, I love it. I’m really happy to see cycling growing here.”

Pogacar and his UAE Tour teammates joined a group of young cyclists to launch UAE Team Emirates Cycling Academy presented by Aldar at a special event at Aldar Square on Yas Island.

“Cycling has always been my biggest passion, so it’s an honour to be involved in this project,” he said.

Now I can visit the UAE more frequently. I love it when I come here.

Tadej Pogacar

“I think it’s a fantastic sport for people of all ages and abilities - especially young children. It’s a great form of exercise, because it helps to increase fitness, muscle strength and flexibility, as well as improving mobility.

“It’s also loads of fun! Watching the kids here today reminds me of when I learnt to cycle. It’s a sport that [has] given me so much in life, so I want to give back and to help inspire the next generation of cyclists.”

Salwa Al Maflahi, director of sustainability and CSR at Aldar said promoting well-being and healthy lifestyles is something Aldar are passionate about.

“We are thrilled to partner with UAE Team Emirates on this exciting new programme,” she said.

“With initiatives such as this, we hope to encourage young people to engage in a more active lifestyle - and in doing so, cultivate a health-conscious next generation.”

Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey is flanked by teammates en route to victory at the Tour de France in Paris on Sunday, July 18, 2021.

Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey during the 21st stage of the Tour de France in Paris on Sunday.

UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar retained his Tour de France title on Sunday.

Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, with the peloton during the neutral start of the 21st and last stage of the Tour de France.

Team Jumbo–Visma rider Jonas Vingegaard wearing the white jersey, UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar wearing the yellow jersey, Deceuninck–Quick-Step rider Mark Cavendish wearing the green jersey, and Bahrain Victorious rider Wout Poels with the polka dot jersey.

Tadej Pogacar with his UAE Team Emirates teammates.

Tadej Pogacar won the Tour de France 2021 on Sunday in Paris.

Tadej Pogacar of the UAE Team Emirates with the peloton.

Tadej Pogacar, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, greets Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard, wearing the best young rider's white jersey.