"I have one year to prove myself” – Tadej Pogacar’s surprising new teammate at UAE Team Emirates – XRG ready for challenge

UAE Team Emirates - XRG has made a surprising addition to its 2025 roster with the signing of Julius Johansen, a former junior world champion. The 25-year-old Dane, who has been on a winding journey through the cycling world, will join the team as he seeks to rekindle the form that once marked him as one of the sport’s brightest young talents.

Johansen first made headlines in 2017, when he clinched the junior world championship title. However, despite showing immense promise, his path to the WorldTour has been anything but straightforward. He spent the 2022 season with Intermarché–Wanty but struggled to establish himself at the top level, ultimately leaving the WorldTour.

"I was super disappointed to leave the WorldTour last year. I had the opportunity to go to Sabgal, where I had quite an okay race program. I didn't have the results that would lead to a contract with UAE, but I was lucky to have the chance to test with the team. I knew Matxin from before as he had been following me for a long time," Johansen told cycling journalist Daniel Benson.

In 2025, Johansen will get another chance to prove himself, this time at UAE Team Emirates – XRG, widely regarded as the world’s best cycling team. His opportunity arose unexpectedly but was built on the back of hard work and outstanding performance in team testing.

"Fortunately, they needed someone with my qualities, and my tests were outstanding. That eventually led to a contract with the UAE. It was all a bit last-minute, and I didn't hear it was finalized until shortly before the official announcement," he revealed.

Needless to say, Johansen is thrilled to join the squad alongside the likes of Tadej Pogacar. "When I got the call from Matxin, that was a huge moment for me. Since then, I've been super happy. It was a surprise, but I know I can reach the level needed. It's up to me to show that this is my spot," Johansen said.

Johansen’s journey has been marked by challenges, including a loss of motivation during the pandemic that he admits cost him crucial development time. "Maybe I could have shown more if I had been at the highest level. I lost a lot of motivation during the pandemic and, therefore, lost at least two years of my development because we couldn't ride races. I started eating too much and training less because I had little to be excited about," said the power rider.

His time at Intermarché also left him unfulfilled. "At Intermarché, I did not have the required level as a result. And there was maybe also some miscommunication about my role within the team. Now, I have an obvious role: I am one of the first to ride at the head of the pack in most races. From there, I can grow further," Johansen explained.

Johansen is determined to make the most of this new opportunity, with his contract providing him a critical year to prove his worth. "I have one year to prove myself, and that's exactly what I wanted. They have confidence in me by giving me a contract, and I know my arrival surprised many. But I deserve this place and have worked very hard for it. I will continue to work even harder now that I have the opportunity to work with some of the best riders in the world. I still have room to grow and want to show the world I deserve this spot," he concluded.