Sjoerd Bax on limited opportunities to go for a result in UAE: "We must enjoy this because Tadej might be the best rider ever"

Sjoerd Bax spent two seasons having a great time at UAE Team Emirates, but the 28-year-old Dutchman's career will head in a different direction in 2025. It will be one that should seek more opportunities for the all-rounder as he heads to ProTeam Q36.5 Pro Cycling.

"I got the maximum out of it," Bax analyzes his season in a interview for IDLProCycling, "but this season I have to ride up front in races like Gran Piemonte, whereas two years ago I was winning or riding in the top ten. Now, I am the first to ride in the lead, so with more freedom, I might have been able to turn it into results. In the biggest races, I think riding at the front with such great leaders is logical and nice. But in smaller races, I sometimes felt I was stronger than my teammates. But especially now that I am leaving, those roles are sometimes slightly switched."

"I could have stayed, yes. Going to another team was just sporting and financially more attractive," Bax admits his motivations openly. "To win the very biggest races, which is very difficult. But there, I hope for a more free role in the breakaway. In the smaller races, I hope to compete for the results. I got that chance once or twice a year now and maybe thirty times next year. In 2023, I was only given one race, and I won. It will be a great year if I keep up that percentage in 2025!"

In the two years with UAE, Bax had an opportunity to race next to Tadej Pogacar, an experience he should treasure for a long time. How was getting accustomed to such high level? "I got used to it, but it's remarkable when you get off the bus and see how crowded it is with Tadej and his rainbow jersey. The team management also stresses that we must enjoy this because Tadej might be the best rider ever. You think about that sometimes but shouldn't make it too special."