Tadej Pogačar has signed a contract with UAE Team Emirates that runs through December 2032, locking down the world’s top-paid cyclist through his 34th year despite an abrupt end to his 2026 campaign following a crash during the eighth stage of the Vuelta a España.
A Lucrative Long-Term Commitment in Professional Cycling
Long-term contracts remain rare in professional cycling due to the short-term nature of team sponsorships, which typically last only a few years before corporate backers shift investments. Financial terms of the deal place the Slovenian star among the highest earners in sports, with annual net earnings estimated between 12 and 14 million euros when factoring in team salary and private sponsorships, bolstered by residency tax advantages in Monaco.
Season Cut Short by Crash in Spain
The contract milestone arrives just as Pogačar faces a forced recovery period. Following an accident on the eighth stage of the Vuelta a España, official medical evaluations confirmed that the reigning Tour de France champion would be unable to recover in time for the final major targets of his season: capturing a third world title in Montreal and securing a historic sixth victory at Il Lombardia, a feat that eluded even Fausto Coppi 70 years ago.
Dominant 2026 Campaign Before the Accident
Before his crash in Valencia, Pogačar enjoyed a nearly flawless 2026 racing calendar. Otherwise, Pogačar collected victories at Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Tour de Romandie, the Tour de Suisse, and the Tour de France, alongside eight days in the red leader’s jersey and three stage wins at the Vuelta before his withdrawal.
Team Impact and Looking Ahead to 2032
With Pogačar and several teammates sidelined or out of the race, UAE Team Emirates has been left with only four active riders competing on the roads of Spain, making stage wins a monumental challenge. When his current deal expires in December 2032, Pogačar will have spent over a decade anchoring the squad, setting a new benchmark for career stability in a notoriously volatile sport.
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