UAE secure key Tadej Pogacar helper for years to come

The 32-year-old has become one of the team’s most reliable and influential riders since joining from Bora-Hansgrohe in 2023. In a squad built around some of the sport’s biggest stars, Politt has carved out a crucial role as a road captain, classics specialist and trusted engine in the biggest races on the calendar.

His value has been especially clear at the Tour de France. In both 2024 and 2025, Politt was part of the UAE line up that helped Tadej Pogačar to overall victory. Across both editions, he made a strong impression with long, punishing turns at the front of the peloton, often controlling the race for UAE even when the road began to climb.

Barring setbacks, Politt is also expected to be in contention for a place in the team’s 2026 Tour de France squad, where Pogačar will chase a fifth overall victory. UAE Team Emirates-XRG is not expected to confirm its final selection until late in the build up, with injuries and recovery processes still shaping the support group around the Slovenian.

Politt’s renewal comes as UAE continues to shape its long term core. Jonathan Narváez is also expected to extend his stay with the team, as reported by Daniel Benson, despite previously being linked with a return to Netcompany-Ineos. Juan Sebastián Molano, meanwhile, is likely to leave, with Lotto-Intermarché among the teams monitoring the Colombian sprinter.

For Politt, though, there appears to have been little doubt about where his future should be.

“I’m really happy to continue with UAE Team Emirates-XRG,” Politt said in a statement released by the team. “From the first day I arrived, I felt at home here, and over the last years this team has become like a second family to me.

“The atmosphere inside this group is something special. Everyone works hard together, but also enjoys being together, and that makes a big difference during a long season.

“I feel appreciated here, both as a rider and as a person, and that made this decision very easy. We’ve already achieved so much together, but I still feel there is a lot more to come. I’m excited to continue this journey with the team for the next years.”

With his future now secured through 2029, Politt remains one of the pillars of the UAE Team Emirates-XRG project that has been so dominant over the past few years.