Tadej Pogacar contract update - UAE leader set to discuss new deal BEFORE Vuelta a Espana as 'special clauses' considered
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar's UAE Team Emirates future could well be signed and sealed before he rides the first kilometers of the 2026 Vuelta a Espana. Contracted until 2030 already, speculation has persisted on the Slovenian's future in the sport and whether he would sign a new deal and prolong his career beyond that date.
His agent, Alex Carera, has provided a fresh update on his plans, revealing that he and Pogacar will sit down on Friday to iron out the finer details, and that it's not money that's the issue.
'Special clauses' in contract
'Special clauses' are on the mind of Pogacar, which is understood to include perks such as bonuses, schedule control and even the use of a private jet to and from some races.
Detailing that an extension of at least one year is on the cards, the five-time Tour de France champion could be around for a long time as his dominance shows no signs of subsiding.
"We have a meeting with the team management this week. Tadej is satisfied, but there are still a few points that need to be discussed," Carera told Daniel Benson.
“So far, we have discussed an extension until 2031. It is not about the money, but about a number of special clauses."
Tadej Pogacar will ride the Vuelta a España 2026
Tadej Pogacar's UAE future
After Pogacar and his agent decide on the matter, it's then up to him to discuss with the team as Carera stressed that a confirmation is still come distance away.
“The intention to extend is certainly there. We are meeting in Monaco on Friday morning, but we are all taking our time with it. Maybe even a month, because it is not a standard contract."
The Vuelta kicks off in Monaco, on Pogacar's doorstep, on Saturday and the 27-year-old appears primed to take control of the Spanish Grand Tour early on. With several mountain stages in the first week, the UAE leader could have a firm grip on the red jersey heading into the second week.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
claps 7visitors 5
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- 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
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment