"It’s complicated and I don’t think he will come to us" - UAE Team Emirates rule out Jasper Philipsen return
Cycling
A big looks to be ahead for Jasper Philipsen. With the Alpecin-Deceuninck star in the final year of his contract, UAE Team Emirates were thought to be one of the best-placed teams to secure his signature. According to team boss Mauro Gianetti however, that could be unlikely.
Philipsen previously rode for UAE Team Emirates in the 2019 and 2020 seasons, before leaving for the Alpecin set up in 2021. Since making that move, it's fair to say that the Belgian has gone from strength to strength and is now not only a faster sprinter, as proved by his numerous victories, but also a much more well-rounded rider, as showcased by his two successive 2nd placed finishes at Paris-Roubaix behind his teammate, Mathieu van der Poel.
"We are one of the teams interested but I think it’s complicated and I don’t think he will come to us." UAE Team Emirates boss Gianetti explains of the situation surrounding Philipsen in conversation with GCN. Instead of looking at making signings, the team are focusing currently on securing the services of some of their most loyal domestiques such as Rafal Majka.
"We’ve not signed but we have agreed," Gianetti updates on the renewal of the ever-reliable Polish super domestique, who is currently proving his worth as a key cog in Tadej Pogacar's Maglia Rosa charge at the 2024 Giro d'Italia. "We agreed before the Giro that he would stay with us. Maybe one or two years but we’ll decide that after the Giro between him and us."
Although both Mikkel Bjerg and Tim Wellens have already extended, when it comes to other notable UAE Team Emirates names soon to be out of contract however, there is much less news surrounding the likes of, Finn Fisher-Black and Marc Hirschi. "We’ve not decided yet if he’s staying or not. We’ll decide in June," Gianetti said of Hirschi, who has been heavily linked with the Tudor Pro Cycling Team.
"It’s also a question of opportunity to see if Finn could have great opportunities staying with us or if he stays with us and it’s about sacrifice. It’s a question to see how he can fit in the team and if there’s real space for his value," he says of Fisher-Black. "It’s a discussion on the table and it’s one that will be decided later on in the season. We will wait."
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- wtf dudemij07-11-2026
- big rival … ridiculous.Ketterechts07-11-2026
- It would be great if the World Champion's jersey could be rotated among McNulty, Simmons, and Jorgenson. They threaded the needle perfectly. If each hadn't done exactly what he did, exactly when he did it, the race would have gone to one of the more heralded superstars. That said, how nice that this humble and hardworking guy gets his moment in the sun.
MarkFour07-11-2026 - This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment