Pogačar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG Set Sights on Victory at Home Race

UAE Team Emirates-XRG eye third UAE Tour title.        
World Champion Tadej Pogačar targets strong start to 2025 on return to the UAE Tour.

News | Team – 12th February 2025

UAE Team Emirates-XRG head into the UAE Tour with their sights set on continuing their stellar start to the 2025 season. World Champion Tadej Pogačar will be leading an impressive lineup as he looks to kickstart his year with a dominant performance on home soil.

The UAE Tour has delivered some unforgettable moments for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, and Triple Crown winner Pogačar returns to the team's home race for the first time since 2022, hoping to help the squad claim their third win in just seven editions of the race.

The Slovenian superstar is no stranger to the UAE Tour, having secured overall victory in both 2021 and 2022. Heading into the race on the back of his most memorable season to date, Pogačar will be determined to extend his outstanding run of results.

Joining Pogačar on the start line in Abu Dhabi is a UAE Team Emirates-XRG line-up littered with talent and experience. Following a notable outing at the AlUla Tour, Sebastian Molano will be looking to contest the flatter stages. Mikkel Bjerg, alongside new signings Florian Vermeersch and Rune Herregodts, will act as the engine room for the team, playing a crucial role in pacing the peloton and managing potential crosswinds. When it comes to stage 3 atop Jebel Jais and stage 7 atop Jebel Hafeet, it will be Domen Novak and Jay Vine providing valuable support for Pogačar as he targets the key climbs in the battle for the overall title.

“It's always special to race at the UAE Tour, especially with the home crowd behind us” said Tadej Pogačar. “Last season was incredible for the team, and we want to keep that momentum going into 2025. We have an amazing group of riders, and I'm looking forward to giving it my all to bring home another big result for the team and our fans.”

UAE Team Emirates-XRG's mission to secure a third UAE Tour title will be challenged by a strong field. Belgian climber Lennert Van Eetvelt of Lotto-Dstny returns to defend his crown after a stunning win on Stage 7 atop Jebel Hafeet in 2024.

Australian talent Luke Plapp will be looking to continue his aggressive form on the climbs, having had some thrilling battles with UAE Team Emirates-XRG's Jhonatan Narvaez in the recent Tour Down Under. Meanwhile, former UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider Finn Fisher-Black will be eager to compete against his old teammates across all terrains as he hunts for his first World Tour stage win.

The race itself will see the peloton face off over 7 stages, covering more than 1,000KM of action. The General Classification battle will begin on Stage 2 with an intense 12.2KM time trial at Al Hudayriat Island, where UAE Team Emirates-XRG claimed an all-podium sweep just a year ago. Stage 3 will present the first climbing test with a summit finish at Jebel Jais, where the race favourites will need to stay sharp to avoid losing significant time. The grand finale will come on Stage 7 at the iconic Jebel Hafeet, where Pogačar will be aiming to deliver a show-stopping performance for the home crowd.

After a record-breaking 2024, Pogačar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG will look to pick up where they left off, continuing their quest to dominate the World Tour and further cement their place in cycling history.