OFFICIAL: UAE secure key pillars of Pogacar support as McNulty and Vermeersch sign long-term deals

UAE Team Emirates - XRG have confirmed long-term contract extensions for Brandon McNulty and Florian Vermeersch, securing two riders who have become increasingly important to the team’s structure across both stage races and the Classics.

Vermeersch has signed through to 2029, while McNulty’s new deal runs until 2030, underlining the value UAE place on continuity within a squad built around depth and versatility.

The Belgian has grown into a key figure within the team’s cobbled group since arriving in 2024, with consistent performances across the northern calendar, including a recent third place at the E3 Saxo Classic. His role has also extended beyond one-day racing, with UAE regularly relying on him in stage races where positioning and resilience are critical.

“I’m really happy to continue with UAE Team Emirates - XRG for the coming years,” Vermeersch said in an official press release. “Since joining the team, I’ve felt a lot of trust and support, which has allowed me to grow as a rider and take steps forward.”

“We’ve already had some great results together, but I believe there is still a lot more to achieve both for me personally and for the team. Extending until 2029 gives me the stability to keep improving and chasing big goals. It feels like a special group of people here, and I’m happy to be staying.”

That emphasis on development is reflected in how UAE continue to use him. Despite emerging as a consistent top performer in the Classics, Vermeersch remains central to the team’s ability to control races before the decisive moves are made.

McNulty’s extension follows a longer trajectory within the team. Having joined in 2020, the American has developed into one of UAE’s most dependable riders across stage races and Grand Tours, combining his own results with a consistent presence in support roles.

His palmarès within the team includes 20 professional victories, with Grand Tour stage wins and success at the 2025 GP Montreal highlighting his ability to deliver when given the opportunity.

“It’s a nice prospect to continue racing with UAE Team Emirates - XRG for the foreseeable future,” McNulty said. “I’ve been with the team for several years now, and it’s a place where I’ve been able to grow a lot as a rider and as a person. We’ve achieved some great things together, and I feel like I have the right balance here, I feel at home. Signing through 2030 gives me a lot of confidence and motivation to keep working hard and reaching goals with this team.”

That “balance” is exactly what UAE are preserving. McNulty remains one of the few riders in the peloton capable of shifting between leadership and support depending on the race, often playing a decisive role deep into stages while still carrying his own result threat.

Together, the extensions reinforce a clear strategy. UAE are not just retaining strong individuals, but ensuring that two of the riders most integral to how they manage races around Pogacar remain in place for the long term.