Tadej Pogačar said that UAE Team Emirates-XRG are the main reason behind his fifth win of the Tour de France while praising his teammates for their best performance in the campaign that took them the Emirati outfit’s status as the dominant force in world cycling.
The Slovenian rider has secured the 2026 Tour de France after another outstanding performance as it matches the all time record of his five overall victories. While Pogačar claimed individual glory, he highlighted all the sacrifices, practice and discipline of his teammates as one of his favourite memories and reason for winning the race this year.
Throughout the three-week competition, UAE Team Emirates-XRG controlled key mountain stages, protected the yellow jersey and dictated the pace of the race. Riders including Isaac del Toro, Brandon McNulty, Tim Wellens and Felix Großschartner played crucial supporting roles, helping Pogačar conserve energy before launching decisive attacks on the toughest climbs. Their coordinated strategy proved instrumental in extending his lead over rivals and maintaining control through the final stages.
Pogačar also produced several standout individual performances, winning five stages and reclaiming the yellow jersey early in the race before defending it all the way to Paris. The victory not only cemented his place among cycling’s greatest riders but also marked another milestone for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, which has become one of the sport’s most successful teams in recent years.
Team management praised the riders’ unity and execution, describing the campaign as a demonstration of collective strength rather than individual brilliance alone. The squad overcame illness, mechanical issues and fierce competition to deliver another Tour de France triumph, with Del Toro also finishing on the overall podium and claiming the best young rider classification.
The success further strengthens the UAE-based team’s reputation on the global cycling stage, reflecting years of investment in elite talent, coaching and race strategy. As celebrations continue following another memorable Tour de France, Pogačar said the teamwork displayed throughout the race will remain one of the achievements he values most from his fifth title-winning campaign.
