All change for Tadej Pogačar: training in regular UAE kit for the first time in years and riding Del Toro's bike

For two years, we got to enjoy watching Pogacar in the rainbow jersey. And let’s be honest: we got used to it very quickly. The Slovenian shone in the world champion’s jersey, further cementing his place at the very top of the cycling world.

But when he crashed in the Vuelta a España, we knew pretty quickly that a third consecutive title wasn’t going to happen.

He had to pull out of the final race in Montreal, which suddenly left many contenders for the title. But the title remained with UAE Team Emirates-XRG, as Brandon McNulty surprised everyone with a solo victory in Canada.

And so, Pogacar’s final race as world champion took place a few months ago—at least until he proves himself the best again at a World Championship.

Just before this year’s World Championships, he was able to squeeze in a quick training session while wearing the rainbow jersey. He then had a week to ride in the European champion’s jersey, but he’s since lost that one too—to Remco Evenepoel this time. So now he has to go back to the colors of UAE Team Emirates-XRG. And that does look a bit strange again.

He shared footage on his Instagram Story of a training ride in the Emirates team’s black-and-white jersey.

Of course, he’s now sporting those beautiful rainbow sleeves, but it’s still an unusual sight. Also unusual: the bike.

Whereas he used to ride a sleek white Colnago decked out in rainbow colors, he now has to go back to riding a different steed.

But while his teammates were riding black-and-white bikes, Pogacar was training on an all-black bike. It’s in the same style as Del Toro, who did the same thing in 2025.

Del Toro even jokes about it. “Is my bike a little fast?” he comments on the photos posted by his teammate.