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.”
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UAE Team Emirates cyclists deliver coaching clinics to pupils at Al Rebeeh School in Abu Dhabi in 2019. Photos: UAE Team Emirates -
The visit took place during the team's end-of-season camp in the UAE. -
Budding cyclists received tips from the professional cyclists. -
More than 100 schoolchildren took part in the clinics. -
Fernando Gaviria was among the riders encouraging the pupils. -
UAE Team Emirates cyclists Also took part in a Q&A session. -
The team showed off their skills to the young riders. -
UAE Team Emirates cyclists deliver coaching clinics to children at Al Rebeeh School. -
The team said the sessions could help to inspire the youths to represent the UAE in the future. -
UAE Team Emirates cyclists and schoolchildren participate in a drill. -
Alexander Kristoff, Fernando Gaviria, Yousif Mirza, Tadej Pogacar and Jasper Philipsen took part in the session. -
They helped young riders develop their skills.
