Sivakov compares Seixas to Pogacar, Wellens questions Ayuso's decision: "If he's not there, the pressure is greater"

UAE Team Emirates-XRG enjoyed the best season in the history of men’s road cycling last year, but they still went one better in 2025. Ninety-five victories later, they know it’ll be hard to raise the bar again — yet they’ll go all-in once more. Tim Wellens and Pavel Sivakov explain what’s so special about the squad at UAE Team Emirates.

Sivakov joined the team in 2024 after moving from INEOS Grenadiers. Since then, he feels he’s been able to take steps forward again. At the British team — certainly in his early years — he worked far too hard. He tells Cyclingnews where that came from. "I think it comes a little bit from my roots, maybe with my parents, the Soviet style, where even if you're dead, you train, you do the hours, you do more."

Both of the Frenchman’s parents were successful cyclists. As a top prospect he drove himself into the ground. "I'd see Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome doing more and more. I was this young guy and I wanted to do the same. Then you start to be too stressed, you train too much, you diet too much, and you maybe even crash a bit too much. It becomes a vicious circle."

Sivakov has since learned to pause and take it a bit easier. He sees that other, more talented riders can handle things differently. "I think some guys develop really quickly," the former Russian cyclist said. "They get it and it's easier for them. For me, it's been a longer, slower career path."

He names Tadej Pogacar as the prime example of what he means. The Slovenian is the catalyst for UAE Team Emirates’ success and makes everyone better. "Tadej has the capacity to stay calm and not really get stressed about stuff. I'm not like that, I used to get stressed about some little details and eventually that would slow me down."

Pogacar is not the only special one. Sivakov sees a similar rider in Paul Seixas. "Paul Seixas is like Tadej and Geraint Thomas. He's not like me, he doesn't overthink stuff. He'll have pressure to perform but that's part of his journey. After getting to know him, I think as long as he enjoys racing and riding his bike, he'll be fine."

Wellens sees everyone at UAE willing to take the next step, but he singles out the departing Juan Ayuso as the most professional. “Being professional means something different to everyone. Some need to measure everything down to the millimetre; others need to keep everything in balance to perform all year. At UAE everyone is very professional, and Juan had an excellent mentality.”

Wellens wishes him every success at Lidl–Trek, but tells Marca it’ll be tougher for the Spaniard. without Pogacar. the Belgian does state that he will have a harder time without Pogacar. “He’s making the decision he thinks is best. But having Pogacar as a role model makes life easier. If he’s not there, the pressure is greater. We’ll see how he does — hopefully very well.”

The world champion’s level makes everyone on the team better — and off the bike he’s priceless for UAE Team Emirates too. "Everyone knows he’s the best. But what makes the difference is that he’s also one of the best people in the peloton. He keeps both feet on the ground. That’s as valuable as the victories.”

Can UAE push for 100 wins? It will be difficult,” says Wellens. “I thought it was impossible to improve on 2024, but we did it in 2025. It will be hard to repeat, but this team is full of champions.”Some see the thirst for victories as arrogance. The Belgian champion has a quick retort: "Hopefully, we'll win 200 times."