UAE on track for a record year as Pogačar's teammates flex their muscles ahead of the Tour de France
CyclingSunday, 28 June 2026 at 21:05
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Follow us on GoogleUAE Emirates-XRG has already won 51 times in 2026 and is well on its way to matching and/or surpassing the record-breaking 97 victories it achieved last year. During the national championships, the team from the Emirates added seven titles to its tally, two more than it won in Europe last year.
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Although UAE Emirates-XRG had 55 victories under its belt following the national championships in Europe, there is no indication that the team will slow down. With Tadej Pogacar, the team will head to the Tour de France in July, and the Slovenian seems better than ever.
Last year, the team already recorded five stage wins, plus Pogacar’s overall victory in the Tour de France. “We’ve now won more than 50 times, solidifying the team’s position at the top of the UCI Team Ranking,” said a proud UAE Emirates-XRG via its official channels.
"Following last year's record-breaking performances, our current tally of 51 victories is a testament to our ongoing dedication and perseverance to continue growing," the team adds, referring to the fact that the riders at UAE have by no means rested on their laurels since 2025.
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Can Del Toro and Pogacar go one better than 2025?
Anyone who compares the victories from 2025 and 2026 side by side knows that UAE Emirates-XRG will have its work cut out for it if it wants to break the record set in 2025. Especially now that Isaac del Toro’s Mexican time trial and road race titles from October have been added to the 2025 total.
After those two victories, it was long assumed that the UAE had already secured two wins for 2026, but Del Toro’s victories in Mexico are still listed under 2025 in the UAE’s record book. In 2025, Del Toro claimed a total of 16 of his 18 victories in the year starting in July.
Pogacar, for his part, is once again putting on an impressive performance. The world champion raced less than ever in 2026, but has already won 13 times. That means he needs just 7 more victories to match last year’s total of 20. And that’s with Pogacar still set to ride a full schedule.
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UAE Emirates-XRG Issues warning ahead of the Tour de France
"We now have 51 victories in 2026, and our ambition is not to stop there," warned UAE Emirates-XRG on Sunday evening, a week before the start of the Tour de France. The competition has been warned: the team will once again be going for the win every day in the Tour de France as well.
So there were seven titles at the national championships. Antonio Morgado and Jan Christen won the time trial and road race in Portugal and Switzerland, while Nils Politt (Germany) and Felix Grossschartner (Austria) became time trial champions.
On Sunday, Rune Herregodts claimed a surprise Belgian road title. Pogacar did not compete in the national championships in Slovenia. Marc Soler (Spain) was unable to participate due to an injury.
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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Latest Comments
- - Esto es muy serio. Calor extremo = riesgo real. Mejor cambiar horarios y más hielo para todos. Fuerza a las y los corredores.raceready728-06-2026
- - Why no comparison to Doha Worlds protocols or the extreme heat playbook from Tokyo Olympics? Feels like the piece missed some concrete solutions.lindae28-06-2026
- - Scorching hot Nationals and Suisse, then straight into a furnace Tour… the CPA and UCI really need dynamic heat protocols. Early/late start times, neutral water motos every 10km, extra ice socks. Protect the riders first.jeremya28-06-2026
- - Grande UAE! Pogacar campeón otra vez en julio, seguro. Vamos!davidm28-06-2026
- - “No sign they’ll slow down” feels a bit chesty. Tour pressure is different, and Jumbo/Visma-Visbeek (whatever they’re called now) will key on Pogačar. Let’s not crown them yet.jeremya28-06-2026
- - Five TDF stages last year + overall… If they repeat that and Pogi bags 7 more wins, we’re looking at record pace. Only caveat: how’s Soler’s injury for mountain support? That could matter late in weekgearguru3328-06-2026
- - Sorry, basic question: how does the UCI Team Ranking actually work—do national championship wins count the same as WorldTour stage wins?robert6528-06-2026
- - Rune Herregodts taking the Belgian RR is huge. That depth beyond Pogacar is why they can threaten 90+ again. Morgado and Christen double-doubles are scary for one-week stage races too.jennifer1928-06-2026
- - Small nitpick: counting Del Toro’s Mexican TT and RR under 2025 is correct per UCI calendar, but the article’s phrasing made it sound like UAE misfiled them. Maybe clarify that national champs in Oct still fall in the previous UCI season? Otherwise great summary.michael5428-06-2026
- - Wild to think they’re already at 51 and haven’t even hit the Tour yet. If Pogi’s on 13 with a “light” race schedule, the green light for another monster July is flashing.julien28-06-2026
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