UAE entered the pro peloton in 2017 as a new team, but by taking over much of the staff and equipment of the Italian Lampre team their roots stretch back to 1991, making it one of the longest-running squads in the peloton.
It's first years were relatively unremarkable and they very nearly did not gain a place in the 2017 WorldTour after a Chinese backer failed to come up with sponsorship money. A last-minute deal struck with Abu Dhabi saw the squad saved, and a place in the WorldTour secured. Emirates airline joined the team as co-title sponsor in February 2017.
But it's fortunes really changed when it signed a talented young Slovenian rider from the Ljubljana Gusto Xaurum team for the 2019 season. Barely known across the sport, 20 year old Tadej Pogačar won three stages of the Vuelta and finished third overall that year.
The following year he won his first Tour de France at the age of 21 and has since gone on to become the greatest rider of his generation and perhaps of all time. His success has lead the team to domination throughout the calendar as they continue to sign talented young riders like Juan Ayuso and Isaac Del Toro.
As UAE grew it's investment in the team - Pogačar is reportedly paid over €4m a year the team is now considered to be the best funded team in the sport.
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‘It's good to be back’ – Adam Yates rebounds from illness to set Tadej Pogačar up on Tour de France stage 19In sickness and in health, UAE Emirates-XRG are dominating the 2026 Tour
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'I heard that I broke the record, so I'm happy' – Tadej Pogačar conquers all on Alpe d'Huez at Tour de France, including Marco PantaniSlovenian took his 26th Tour stage win on one of cycling's most iconic climbs
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‘Many riders are ill in the bunch’ – could a stomach virus deny Tadej Pogačar at the Tour de France?Adam Yates, Tim Wellens and Brandon McNulty, three of UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s eight-man squad, are run down with a stomach infection. McNulty left on stage 18 – will Tadej Pogačar safely make it to Paris?
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‘The doctors will decide’ – Adam Yates may not continue in Tour de France due to stomach infectionThe British rider was the third-last rider to cross the finish line in Voiron, and he’s in a battle to remain in the race
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'He's one of the greatest' – Tadej Pogačar settles for second again behind Remco Evenepoel at Tour de FranceThe road world champion was beaten by the time trial world champion in the Tour de France's only individual time trial
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Which Tour de France team has won the most money so far in 2026?There is a prize fund of €2.3m up for grabs, of which €606,000 has been handed out in two weeks of racing
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'If this is necessary to prove that we are riding clean, then I totally accept it' – Tadej Pogačar on 'strange' anti-doping testing at Tour de FrancePogačar and Jonas Vingegaard were woken in early hours before stage 15
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'I got four hours of sleep today' – Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard faced early morning anti-doping tests at Tour de FranceThe riders first and second in general classification were awoken in the middle of the night by testers
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'I couldn't waste good legs today' – Tadej Pogačar puts in another dominant display at Tour de France, argues race isn't overWorld champion says he's back to being confident after tricky days, still leads race by 4:30
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'I don't go for records' – Tadej Pogačar refuses to be drawn on Lance Armstrong's claim he needs to win seven Tours de FranceSlovenian is on the cusp of history with a fifth yellow jersey – but does he need more?
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'Haters gonna hate': Tadej Pogačar dismissive of roadside boos at Tour de France after yet another victoryThe yellow jersey claimed his third victory of this year's race on stage 10, and seems to destined to win a record-equalling fifth title.
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'Nothing to lose' – Tadej Pogačar destroys field in Pyrenees on stage 6 of Tour de France to take win and yellow jerseyWorld champion puts stamp on race in first proper mountain test of year
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Tadej Pogačar wins Souvenir Jacques Goddet on Col du Tourmalet at Tour de FranceUAE Team Emirates-XRG rider attacked alone 4.1km from top of famous climb
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It’s stage four of the Tour de France and most teams are already hunting for scraps – I long for a more open raceThree days of racing, three wins for the big GC teams. Is this how everything has to be now?
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'If we can win like we won today, and the team feels super good, then we have to take the opportunity' – Tadej Pogačar springs to Tour de France stage 3 win and claims yellow jerseyThe defending champion finished with a two-second gap over Jonas Vingegaard during a day that went nothing like anyone predicted
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25mm tyres, golden titanium bolts and glued-on shifter buttons: Tadej Pogačar's Colnago TT2 is ready to do battle on the streets of BarcelonaA closer look at the defending Tour de France champion's time trial setup, including crank length, brake rotors and chainring sizes
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'We push to new heights every year' – Tadej Pogačar ready for another battle royale with Jonas Vingegaard at the Tour de FranceThe race favourite dished out maximum Pogacar on the eve of the big race in Barcelona
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'We have a lot of confidence in each other' – Tadej Pogačar's support team for the Tour de France announcedUAE Team Emirates-XRG squad includes Isaac del Toro and Adam Yates
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Human rights groups call on UCI to suspend UAE Team Emirates-XRG over UAE's alleged involvement in Sudan civil warUAE accused of supporting the RSF in Sudan, which is said to have committed genocide
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'This victory is also for my team-mates' – Jhonatan Narváez sprints to Giro d'Italia stage 4 win as UAE Team Emirates-XRG put woes behind themUAE Team Emirates-XRG bounce back from torrid time in Bulgaria
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'I knew the sprint was going to be tough because of the climbs before' – Tadej Pogačar wins reduced bunch sprint to take stage 2 of Tour de RomandieSlovenian beats Dorian Godon to line in Switzerland to extend race lead
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'I just won’t quite be ready in time' – João Almeida out of Giro d'Italia with illness, Mikel Landa also not racingUAE Team Emirates-XRG to head to Italy with changed team
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I won't be surprised if Tadej Pogačar wins Paris-Roubaix, but it will still be an achievement for the agesThe Slovenian could achieve sporting immortality on Sunday
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Two down, three to go – Can Tadej Pogačar complete the Monument clean sweep?The World Champion could become the first rider to win all five Monuments in a single season
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Tadej Pogačar won Milan-San Remo on a cracked frame with a rubbing disc brakeThe damage was incurred in a crash that the Slovenian initially thought had ended his race. No chance!
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'Everybody's looking at me' – Tadej Pogačar on his dates with destiny at Milan-San Remo and Paris-RoubaixThe world champion could become the first rider in almost 50 years to win all five Monuments – but how much does it matter to him? Tom Davidson meets him to find out
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'It was a crazy situation' – knee injury that nearly ended Tadej Pogačar's Tour de France last year apparently caused by crash with Visma-Lease a Bike carThe Slovenian's agent says he collided with the team car ahead of stage 18
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There's another Seixas, and he's already been training with UAE Team Emirates-XRGPaul Seixas's younger brother Nino interned with the team in December
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Tadej Pogačar isn't making cycling boring, UAE Team Emirates-XRG are – I hope they don’t sign Paul SeixasSo much wealth and talent concentrated at one team makes for a lesser spectacle
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