Pogačar claims first ever Grand Tour podium for UAE Team Emirates

History was made for Team UAE Emirates today, as 20-year-old Tadej Pogačar stepped onto the Vuelta a Espana podium to celebrate a landmark third place finish at one of the biggest bike races in the world.

Pogacar’s impressive third place performance during the 21-day Tour of Spain will also be remembered for his three spectacular stage wins, along with claiming the coveted white jersey, which is given to the best young rider in the race.

His achievements marked the first Grand Tour podium for UAE Team Emirates since its inception in 2017 and took the team’s tally of Grand Tour stage victories to eight. Four of these have been won at La Vuelta, two at the Giro d’Italia and two at the Tour de France.

Pogačar on his strong Grand Tour debut:“ These last three weeks have been incredible. The whole UAE team has supported me really well to get to this point and I owe a lot of thanks to them. To finish on the podium in the Vuelta is unbelievable and to be able to do it next to the World Champion and Primoz Roglic is even more amazing. A lot of friends and family have come from home to see me in Madrid so for me this day was the perfect end to an amazing three weeks for me and for the team.”

Matar Suhail Al Yabhouni Al Dhaheri, President of UAE Team Emirates praised the team: “Today was a very special day. It is the culmination of a lot of hard work and self-belief. Since we started the team – with amazing support from the UAE and our sponsors – it has been our goal to become the best team in professional cycling. Today we took another very big step towards that goal and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved. He continued: Tadej Pogacar has been a revelation for us. As we look to the future it is important to invest in young riders that can not only win races, but can inspire young people in the UAE to get behind the team and get into cycling themselves. That is our goal. ”

Mauro Gianetti, UAE Team Emirates’ CEO added: “Pogacar is an unbelievable talent and has proved he is a superstar in the making, but we must not forget that cycling is a team sport. We could not have achieved these victories without the commitment and contribution of all the riders, sports directors, backroom staff, family members and friends that have supported the team.”

Final general classification
1 Primoz Roglic (Slo) Jumbo Visma 83h07’31”
2 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar +2:16”
3 Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates +2:38”