UAE Team Emirates hands long contract extensions to two Pogačar lieutenants

Tadej Pogačar has won the Tour of Flanders for the third time, and was once again perfectly supported by his team on the road to Oudenaarde. UAE Team Emirates - XRG was always on the ball, with 'man in form' Florian Vermeersch again showing his good shape. The Belgian is in his element, and it should come as no surprise that he is extending his contract. He is, incidentally, not the only lieutenant of the world champion to do so.

Vermeersch is in his second season in the black and white kit, and has shown a new level this year. He finished third in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the E3 Saxo Classic, and was prominent in both In Flanders Fields and Dwars door Vlaanderen. In the Ronde this Sunday, he finished an impressive seventh after single-handedly blowing the race apart on the Molenberg.

UAE Team Emirates - XRG can be pleased with the Belgian's performances. They are therefore extending his contract through to 2029. 'I’m really happy to continue with UAE Team Emirates-XRG for the coming years.' Vermeersch says on his team's website. 'Since joining the team, I’ve felt a lot of trust and support, which has allowed me to grow as a rider and take steps forward. We’ve already had some great results together, but I believe there is still a lot more to achieve both for me personally and for the team.'

This means Pogačar will have his most loyal lieutenant in the spring classics alongside him for some time to come. The former Lotto rider also hopes he can take another step forward himself. 'Extending until 2029 gives me the stability to keep improving and chasing big goals. It feels like a special group of people here and I’m happy to be staying.'

It is not only Vermeersch who is staying with the team of Mauro Gianetti. Brandon McNulty will also stay longer. The American made his WorldTour debut at UAE Team Emirates in 2020 and has never looked back. With his versatility, he is invaluable to the squad. He has won the GP Montréal, the Tour of Poland and a stage in the Giro d'Italia, among others.

McNulty, like Vermeersch, feels at home alongside Pogačar. 'It is a great prospect to continue racing with UAE Team Emirates - XRG in the future. I have been here for several years now, and it is a place where I have been able to grow as a rider and as a person. We have achieved very beautiful things here, and I feel that we have the right balance. I feel at home here.'

While Vermeersch signed through to 2029, the American time triallist ha gone one better. He puts his signature to a contract that runs through to 2030, meaning he will have ridden eleven years in service at UAE. 'Signing a contract through to 2030 gives me a great deal of confidence and motivation to keep working hard, and to achieve goals with the team.'