In the high-stakes world of professional cycling, where mountains are conquered on two wheels and seconds can define legacies, one team stands head and shoulders above the peloton: UAE Team Emirates XRG. Anchored by the indomitable Slovenian phenom Tadej Pogačar—affectionately known as “Pogi”—this squad has not just dominated the 2025 season; they’ve rewritten the record books, cementing their status as the greatest cycling team of the modern era.
Pogačar, born on September 21, 1998, in the quaint Slovenian town of Komenda, turned 27 just days ago, and what better birthday gift than another feather in his already overflowing cap? Fresh off clinching his fourth Tour de France general classification victory—a feat that echoes the legendary Mark Cavendish’s stage-win hauls but in the grueling overall standings—the 26-year-old (at the time of the win) has propelled UAE Team Emirates to 107 individual victories and 174 podium finishes across his tenure. But it’s the team’s synergy that truly elevates them beyond mere statistics.
This year’s Tour de France was a masterclass in tactical brilliance. Pogačar didn’t just win; he dismantled the competition with four stage victories, including a breathtaking solo attack on the Col de la Loze that left rivals like Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike gasping in the rearview. Teammates like João Almeida and Søren Waerenskjold played pivotal roles, with Almeida’s climbing prowess shielding Pogačar on the Alps and Waerenskjold’s sprint finishes securing crucial intermediate points. “Tadej is the engine, but this team is the chassis—unbreakable,” said UAE Team Emirates director Mauro Gianetti post-race. “We’ve built something historic.”
The dominance extends far beyond July’s Grande Boucle. Pogačar swept the 2024 Giro d’Italia and added nine Monument classics to his palmarès, including a mud-soaked triumph at the Tour of Flanders. UAE Team Emirates’ depth shines through: riders like Adam Yates and Marc Soler provide versatile support, turning potential breakaways into controlled demolitions. With a budget fueled by Emirati investment and a roster blending Slovenian grit with international flair, they’ve outpaced rivals like Jumbo-Visma and Ineos Grenadiers in UCI WorldTour rankings.
Critics might point to the 2022 Tour, where Pogačar narrowly missed a third straight yellow jersey, or the 2023 Worlds where Mathieu van der Poel edged him for gold. But those were anomalies in an otherwise flawless run. As Pogačar himself reflected after a confidence-boosting win at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal earlier this month, “This year will be harder… but we’re ready.” With eyes now on the UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda—where Pogačar defends his rainbow jersey—UAE Team Emirates remains the squad every other team fears.
What makes them the best? It’s not just Pogačar’s superhuman wattage or the team’s 21 Tour stage wins under his belt. It’s the culture: a motto of “Never quit trying and never give up,” embodied from the UAE’s sun-baked training camps to the cobbled chaos of the Classics. In a sport where solo stars can falter, UAE Team Emirates proves that true supremacy comes from collective firepower.
As the 2025 season winds down, one thing is clear: Tadej Pogačar and UAE Team Emirates aren’t just winning races—they’re redefining what’s possible on two wheels. The peloton can chase, but they’ll never catch up.
