From van der Poel's newest rival to Pogacar's potential new teammate - The French diamond developing under the spotlight
CyclingFriday, 18 September 2026 at 14:56
At a moment in time where riders' contracts don't unquestionably bind them to their teams, UAE Team Emirates - XRG is said to have bought out the contract of one French rider who is rather under the radar. This week, he has put himself in the spotlight by challenging Mathieu van der Poel at the Tour de Luxembourg: Pierre Gautherat.
The 23-year old turned professional in 2023 with the Decathlon CGM CGM Team, whom he currently still races for and has a contract with. Hailing from Colmar, a city that is a familiar sight to those who race the Tour de France, he has never stood out as one of Decathlon's leaders - but his talent isn't limited to his results.
At this point in this career, the Frenchman has two wins to his name: Stage 3 of the 2025 4 Jours de Dunkerque and the 2026 Paris-Camembert. Two wins obtained via his sprinting abilities, whilst the latter came at the end of a hilly race.
Despite being close to completing his fourth season as a professional, Gautherat is yet to step foot in a three-week race. Whilst his specialties lie elsewhere, it is an important detail in the grand scheme of things, when considering the young rider is looking to develop and become a leader of his own.
An explosive rider, the shorter efforts suit him best, as a fifth place at this year's Tour Down Under prologue shows that he is more than just a classics specialist or sprinter - but an overall good rider with talent.
He performs best in the French cup calendar, having also finished second at the Classic Dunkerque and fourth at Tro-Bro Léon this spring, right after winning Paris-Camembert.
Pierre Gautherat is one of Decathlon's talented young Frenchmen
Gautherat battles Mathieu van der Poel
At this week's Tour de Luxembourg, he has shown why he is a rider that has been in the spotlight this summer. Away from the World Tour, the Decathlon rider began the Tour de Luxembourg as a contender for the many explosive hilly stages that are presented on its course.
Whilst Mathieu van der Poel's presence came to overshadow his rivals, the chance of racing against the Dutchman places the race on a higher level, and its performers to a higher regard. On stage 1, continental team rider Eike Behrens' ability to catch and follow van der Poel during his late attack came as an absolute breakthrough for the German, who wouldn't otherwise have the same exposure.
Van der Poel sprinted to victory up the steep 10% final climb within the city of Luxembourg, beating Pierre Gautherat to the line. Gautherat notably put the former World Champion on the ropes, and looked momentarily as if he was going to take the win. The two, together with EF sprinter Marijn van den Berg, had a gap over the rest of the field.
On stage 2, Gautherat did not jump into the race lead because of van den Berg, who won the stage. The Frenchman was third, netting bonifications in a bunch sprint, displaying well his versatility.
Is Pierre Gautherat's future next to Tadej Pogacar?
But why is Gautherat such a big name to keep an eye on. Aside from a few very impressive performances in the non-World Tour field, he has not given the cycling world a major mix-up as did his younger teammate Paul Seixas; and most recently his equally younger teammate Aubin Sparfel who beat none other than French national champion Romain Grégoire in his terrain at the GP de Wallonie.
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That is because, as former teammate Benoît Cosnefroy did at the end of 2025, Gautherat is likely to follow in his footsteps to sign a contract with UAE Team Emirates - XRG. A high-level bid for a rider still within his contract, however with a modest name, is something that is rare within pro cycling. Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe's Haimar Etxeberria is one such case from last winter, whilst usually names such as Remco Evenepoel, Primoz Roglic and Cian Uijtdebroeks - consolidated leaders - are part of such moves.
According to Spanish news outlet Marca, this is not just the declaration of interest, but a deal that has been agreed on already until the end of 2029. UAE have their eyes firmly fixed on the Tour de Luxembourg, because their potential newest signing has been fighting alongside Mathieu van der Poel for the race lead, and that brings benefit to one team above all.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- what a great story - he overcame all of that to become what he is.mij18-09-2026
- No doubt Remco's father will e be preparing excuse if he loses the TT.Looking forward to worlds but not the constant excuses and whinging from Remco. You never get excuses or moaning from Pog when he is beaten.paultryan200218-09-2026
- Sorry Pops, that's delusional parental bias. Your boy was 3rd. Period. Woulda, coulda, shoulda doesn't make the wish & dream true prognasticating the future. Humility & respect are appreciated traits. If Remco's occasional heated actions are on display, it's maybe fair to connect some dots back to parental figure as an influence. Benefits of doubt would give hope Pops comments are taken out of context & click baited all of us.aswanson18-09-2026
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- I'd like Del Toro to go back. THAT'S some unfinished business.wrsty18-09-2026
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- UAE asked Wellens to do the late races before Pog crashed. For sure they would like Del Toro to win, but they did not suddenly ask Wellens not to ride the Worlds when Pog withdrew.Hills3317-09-2026
- It is obvious. UAE want del Toro to win so they can have the Rainbow Bands in the team. Wellens would assist Remco in denying del Toro, potentially being a satellite rider (and a long range attack is what is best for Remco). UAE don't want that, so are sending Wellens to the CRO race so he can't help Evenepoel
Rafionain-Glas17-09-2026
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