UAE Team Emirates 2025 Preview | Lanterne Rouge x JOIN Cycling

UAE Team Emirates' 2024 season was exceptionally successful, achieving 81 wins and dominating the UCI rankings. The team's 2025 roster features a mix of experienced riders and new signings, with a focus on maintaining their dominance across various race types, including Grand Tours and Classics, though a lack of a premium sprinter remains a weakness.

2024 Season Results

• 00:03:52 UAE Team Emirates experienced one of the best seasons in professional cycling with 81 wins, including 41 World Tour wins and two Grand Tour victories. The team's dominance was evident in the UCI rankings, where they significantly outperformed other teams, even without considering Tadej Pogačar's individual wins. The team also excelled in time trials, claiming numerous victories in individual and team events.

Hot Takes on 2024

• 00:01:58 The speakers discuss their predictions for the 2024 season, including Pogačar winning the Tour de France, but he ultimately got sick. The predictions also included UAE Team Emirates not achieving a podium in a Grand Tour, which was incorrect as they won two Grand Tours.

Outgoing Transfers

• 00:23:18 Several riders are leaving UAE Team Emirates, including Diego Ulissi, who is likely to retire with Astana Qazaqstan, and Davide Formolo, whose replacement is expected to be a rider from Ineos Grenadiers. Other departing riders include Marc Hirschi, due to injury struggles, and George Bennett, who is joining Q36.5.

Incoming Transfers

• 00:26:43 UAE Team Emirates has a few new signings for the 2025 season, including Pablo Torres, a strong climber with impressive U23 performances. They have also added Florian Vermeersch, Jonathan Narváez, Julius Johansen, and the surprise signing of Harald Jørgensen, who was previously linked to Jumbo-Visma. Many of these transfers are viewed as potential gambles given the riders' recent performances.

Pogačar's 2025 Schedule

• 00:41:17 Tadej Pogačar is expected to participate in the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, with a possible participation in Il Lombardia, World Championships and UAE Tour. The speaker anticipates Pogačar will possibly focus on one cobbled Classic, potentially alongside races like E3 Saxo Classic and Ronde van Vlaanderen before the Tour de France.

Team Depth

• 00:09:54 UAE Team Emirates has a significantly wider and deeper roster than Jumbo-Visma. While the top riders in both teams are comparable, the depth of UAE Team Emirates allows for more riders to score points and achieve victories across a variety of races. There's a debate on whether this team gap will continue to widen in the future.

Salary Cap Discussion

• 00:12:16 The dominance of UAE Team Emirates is prompting a discussion about the possibility of a salary cap in cycling. One speaker believes that a cap would be difficult to implement due to legal and logistical issues, while another suggests transfer payments could be a better solution. The discussion also touches on the challenges of policing riders' secondary agreements with sponsors.

Transfer Payments

• 00:16:49 The podcast suggests alternative solutions to a salary cap in cycling, including higher transfer payments. Currently, the system for paying smaller teams for developing riders is perceived as being too low and is seen as a possible way to help teams with limited budgets. The podcast suggests that the UCI could play a role in enforcing better transfer payments between teams.

Team Strengths & Weaknesses

• 00:38:23 UAE Team Emirates boasts strong climbers, an exceptional time trial setup, and arguably the best Classics riders. However, the team's sprinting capabilities are viewed as a weak point. The podcast discusses how the team could improve in this area, potentially by acquiring a sprinter like Olav Kooij, who could enhance their chances in races like the Tour of Flanders.