"Becoming a teammate of Pogacar is very special" - Rune Herregodts determined to prove himself at UAE Team Emirates

UAE Team Emirates have five new faces arriving ahead of the 2025 season. One of those signings is 26-year-old Belgian, Rune Herregodts, who joins on a two year deal from Intermarché - Wanty and the most recent ZLM Tour winner is determined to prove his worth.

"I was flattered that such a big team showed interest," admits Herregodts in conversation with Wieler Revue about the somewhat surprising move to the all-conquering powerhouse of the modern peloton. "Of course I also thought for a moment: I am happy at Intermarché - Wanty and how many chances will I get at such a big team? It was not an easy decision, but UAE Team Emirates means another step up."

"I started cycling more as a cycling fan than it was always my big dream. If you can ride for such a big team... That is very special and I never dared to imagine it," the Belgian time-trial specialist adds, noting also how the obvious lure of riding alongside Tadej Pogacar also helped to make up his mind. "Yes, becoming a teammate of Pogacar is also very special. It would be strange to say that you only go to a team because of one rider. That is not true, but that does not make it any less special."

Having proven himself to be a very capable rider over the last few seasons, adding five victories to his palmares and making a Grand Tour debut at the 2023 Vuelta a Espana (although he abandoned the race on stage 16 ed.), Herregodts is now set to test himself again and by joining a team with arguably the best set up in the entirety of the modern peloton, it wouldn't be at all surprising to see the 26-year-old improve his level greatly over the coming seasons, as many who have joined UAE Team Emirates have similarly done.