UAE Team Emirates-XRG Poised for Third Consecutive Tour of Flanders Title with Tadej Pogačar at the Helm
Abu Dhabi, April 3, 2026 – UAE Team Emirates-XRG is gearing up for a major challenge as it sets sights on defending its Tour of Flanders crown. The team will be led by Slovenian star Tadej Pogačar, who is aiming to secure his third victory at one of cycling’s most prestigious and demanding races.
The team approaches the race in fine form, having recently shown their strength with a remarkable display at both the Milano-Sanremo and the E3 Saxo Classic. With ambitions running high, UAE Team Emirates-XRG is determined to retain the title clinched in the previous edition.
The Tour of Flanders—affectionately known as “De Ronde“—stands out as a true monument in world cycling. Covering a punishing 278 km, the race is notorious for its cobbled sectors and relentless steep climbs, challenging the resilience and tactics of every rider. Thousands of cycling enthusiasts line the Belgian roads, creating an electrifying atmosphere that is unique to the event.
Tadej Pogačar boasts an exceptional record here: he first claimed victory in 2023 after a dramatic duel with the Netherlands’ Mathieu van der Poel. Pogačar returned in 2025 to win again, launching a race-winning attack on the iconic Oude Kwaremont. He now turns his focus to a third title in 2026, eager to defend his impressive run.
The team supporting Pogačar is formidable: classics specialist Florian Vermeersch joins him, alongside Mikkel Bjerg and Nils Politt. Rui Oliveira and António Morgado add valuable tactical flexibility, while the line-up is completed by Ron Herregodts and Julius Johansen, who are tasked with controlling the early phases of the race.
Tadej Pogačar: “I’m very pleased to be going back to Flanders to defend the title. The way the whole team rode in Milano-Sanremo was so impressive, and if we can carry that into the next few weeks, I think we can achieve some great results. Flanders is one of the biggest heartlands of cycling and the energy around this race is something special and a pleasure to be a part of. Since my last race, I’ve been training while also keeping an eye on the racing and cheering on the teammates from home, so I’m excited to be getting stuck into the action again.”
With momentum on their side, UAE Team Emirates-XRG looks poised to write another historic chapter at the Tour of Flanders, reinforcing its status as one of the powerhouses of the professional cycling world.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
