CONFIRMED: Tadej Pogacar’s UAE confirms transfer of Caja Rural climber as they expand mountain support with three-year deal
Cycling
Abel Balderstone is set for a new chapter in his career with UAE Team Emirates XRG. The 26-year-old Catalan leaves Caja Rural-Seguros RGA to join one of the most powerful structures in the international peloton, on a three-year deal that will keep him with the team through the end of the 2029 season.
The Emirati squad is backing a rider who has shown steady progression in recent seasons and established himself as a specialist in stage races and mountainous terrain. His profile, particularly competitive on demanding, elevation-heavy routes, gives the team another piece to strengthen its roster for the coming years.
Balderstone enjoyed one of the most significant seasons of his career in 2025, when he was crowned Spanish time trial champion. The victory underlined his qualities in a discipline that demands consistency and the ability to sustain high tempo over long efforts, and also showcased his evolution within the professional peloton.
His growth has continued through 2026. The Catalan finished fourth overall at O Gran Camiño and then took another key step by completing his first Tour de France this summer. The experience allowed him to bank racing kilometres and learning at the highest level before making the jump to the WorldTour.
✍🏼👋 Welcome, Abel!
— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamEmiratesUAE) August 19, 2026
We’re pleased to announce the signing of Abel Balderstone, with the Catalan climber joining UAE Team Emirates-XRG on a deal through to the end of 2029 🤝
🗣️ “Joining UAE Team Emirates-XRG is a dream that I’ve had since I was a kid. I’m really excited and… pic.twitter.com/JGeft9mFv9
Balderstone grows by leaps and bounds
“Joining UAE Team Emirates-XRG is a dream I’ve had since I was a kid. I’m really excited and highly motivated to start this new project,” said Balderstone. He also stressed his intention to “grow as a rider with the team,” learn from his teammates, and use the environment to “show the best version” of himself.
From within the Emirati structure, Mauro Gianetti, CEO and Team Principal, highlighted the Catalan’s progression and future potential. “We believe he has the qualities to fit very well into our structure and also the potential to keep developing,” he explained.
With this move, Balderstone faces a major turning point in his career. After consolidating at Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, the Spanish time trial champion now has the opportunity to continue growing with one of the sport’s global reference points.
Meanwhile, Tadej Pogacar appears to have taken the decisive step to extend his deal with UAE Team Emirates-XRG in a surprising turn of events. After we reported on Tuesday that negotiations between both parties and the remaining details to iron out, the major development is that the agreement now seems fully sealed.
That is according to Daniel Benson, a journalist specialising in the transfer market, who has gone a step further than previous reports and is convinced Pogacar has already signed his renewal.
“I’m convinced the deal is already done: Tadej Pogacar has extended his contract with UAE Team Emirates-XRG through the end of 2032. We’re just waiting for the official confirmation from the team,” says Benson.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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