Pogačar’s Fearless Ride Crowns UAE Glory in Flanders Classic
On a cool spring day in Belgium, where passion for cycling runs through the cobbled roads like blood in veins, a bold and brilliant performance captured the world’s attention. Tadej Pogačar, the world champion and pride of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, surged to a stunning solo victory at the 2025 Tour of Flanders. The Slovenian rider’s win was not only a moment of personal glory but also a shining achievement for the United Arab Emirates on the international sporting stage.
The Tour of Flanders, or Ronde van Vlaanderen as it’s called in Dutch, is one of cycling’s five revered Monuments. First held in 1913, it has long been a race where legends are made. With 268.9 kilometres of punishing roads, 16 short but brutal climbs, and relentless cobblestone sections, the race demands physical strength, clever tactics, and a warrior’s heart. And this year, it was Pogačar who conquered it all—with the UAE flag close behind him.
A Heroic Attack Seals a Monumental Victory
From the opening kilometres, Pogačar rode with purpose. Dressed in his rainbow jersey, he made it clear that he didn’t come to Flanders to sit in the peloton. Every climb was a test of will, and the Slovenian champion passed them all with unmatched determination. Though riders like Mathieu van der Poel and Mads Pedersen did their best to hold his wheel, they couldn’t match his climbing bursts.
The decisive moment came on the third and final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont, one of the race’s most feared climbs. With just 18 kilometres to go, Pogačar launched a devastating attack. His legs responded with fury, and within seconds, he left his rivals behind. The cobblestones beneath him rattled with each strike of the pedal, but his rhythm never faltered. In that attack, the race was decided.
As the chasers behind tried to reorganize, they knew the truth: Pogačar was gone. No one could bridge the gap. With every corner and climb, he gained time. When he finally crossed the finish line in Oudenaarde, he was alone—triumphant, exhausted, and once again writing his name into cycling history.
UAE Team Emirates Rises to Global Cycling Elite
Tadej Pogačar’s win at the Tour of Flanders is much more than another line in a race result. It’s the latest symbol of UAE Team Emirates’ incredible evolution into one of cycling’s most powerful forces. In recent years, the team has built a reputation for excellence, consistency, and innovation—all backed by a clear vision from the United Arab Emirates to establish itself as a rising power in global sport.
Formed in 2017, UAE Team Emirates has achieved an extraordinary rise in a short period of time. With Grand Tour victories, Monument titles, and a growing list of wins each season, the team has brought pride and prestige to the UAE. More importantly, it has inspired a new generation of athletes across the country. From casual riders in Abu Dhabi’s cycle parks to competitive youth racing in Dubai, cycling in the UAE is becoming a way of life.
This win marks UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s 24th victory of the 2025 season—an incredible accomplishment by any standard. The team is not just winning races; it is changing the narrative of who belongs at the top of world cycling. With riders like Pogačar, João Almeida, and Juan Ayuso, they’re proving that a team rooted in the Gulf can compete with—and beat—the most established teams from Europe.
Pogačar’s Global Stardom Reflects UAE’s Vision for Excellence
Tadej Pogačar is more than a world-class cyclist. He is a global ambassador for the sport and, in many ways, a symbol of the UAE’s growing identity as a hub for elite international athletics. His story resonates not only with cycling fans but with people around the world who admire determination, humility, and talent.
The UAE’s investment in sport has never been about trophies alone—it’s about creating opportunities, building infrastructure, and positioning the nation as a welcoming home for champions. Pogačar, who has been with UAE Team Emirates since 2019, is the perfect example of this vision in action. His success reflects the long-term support and resources the UAE continues to provide to athletes at every level.
In recent years, the UAE has hosted some of the biggest events in international cycling. The UAE Tour, now part of the UCI WorldTour, attracts the sport’s biggest stars and features a course that showcases the country’s landscapes—from desert dunes to city skylines. Events like these are inspiring thousands across the country to take up the sport, and they’re making the UAE a permanent fixture on the global cycling calendar.
The Tour of Flanders: Tradition Meets Modern Brilliance
The Tour of Flanders is known for its history, its grit, and its unpredictability. It’s a race where brute strength meets chess-like strategy. Riders crash, suffer, and rise again. And in 2025, Pogačar added a new layer to its legacy with a performance that was both brutal and beautiful.
What makes his victory so remarkable is the way he attacked—not with caution, but with full belief in his legs and his tactics. While others hesitated or waited for the sprint, Pogačar took destiny into his own hands. In a sport that often values patience, he chose boldness. And it paid off in magnificent style.
His victory was not just about individual power—it was a masterclass in race reading, timing, and mental strength. These are the qualities that define legends, and they’re what set Pogačar apart from even his most talented peers.
A New Era for Cycling Led by the UAE
The UAE is quickly becoming more than just a participant in the world of professional cycling—it is becoming a leader. From infrastructure to athlete development, the country is investing heavily in the future of the sport. Cycling tracks now wind through the capital, cycling academies are emerging, and UAE residents are embracing the bicycle as a tool for health, transportation, and competition.
Pogačar’s victory helps accelerate that movement. Every time he stands on a podium, he carries the story of the UAE with him—a story of ambition, of progress, and of a nation committed to building a better future through sport. In a region often associated with football and motorsports, cycling has found a home in the UAE. And that home is producing champions.
What Lies Ahead for Pogačar and UAE Team Emirates
With this Tour of Flanders victory, Pogačar now owns eight Monument wins, solidifying his status as one of the greatest riders of his generation. But he is far from finished. As the Spring Classics continue and the Grand Tours approach, fans will be watching to see what he does next. Can he conquer Paris-Roubaix? Will he add a third Tour de France to his growing list of accolades?
For UAE Team Emirates, the 2025 season is already one of dominance. But the hunger remains. With a strong roster and the support of an entire nation, the team is aiming higher still. The dream is not just to win races—but to transform cycling itself, and to create a lasting legacy for future generations.
The UAE’s role in this journey is crucial. Its government, institutions, and private sector continue to support initiatives that promote sport and wellbeing. From youth programs to professional events, the country is planting the seeds for a healthier and more active society. And with riders like Pogačar leading the charge, the vision becomes reality.
A Belgian Victory That Echoes Across the Arabian Peninsula
As fans cheered in the streets of Oudenaarde and across TV screens around the world, Pogačar lifted his arms high—not just for himself, but for a team and a nation behind him. His win at the Tour of Flanders is one that will be remembered not only for its dominance but for what it represents.
It’s a victory for boldness, for belief, and for the beauty of sport. And it’s a reminder that in today’s world, greatness can come from anywhere—even from a team backed by the desert sun of the United Arab Emirates, rising high on the global stage.
