"That's worth just as much as the wins" - Tim Wellens on what makes Tadej Pogacar the best in the peloton, besides his legs

Tim Wellens was signed by UAE Team Emirates - XRG and it turned out to be a transfer of absolute perfection. The Belgian is at his very best level ever, despite being at the top of the cycling world for over a decade already; and the team won a perfect right-hand man for Tadej Pogacar.

When questioned about Tadej Pogacar's knee issues at the 2025 Tour de France, Wellens refused going deep on the topic. "It’s not for me to go into medical details. I think that question is more for the team or Tadej himself to answer," Wellens said in words to Marca, with very direct questions asked to the World Champion's right-hand man.

Signed in 2023 to take on a vast calendar and opportunities, but in 2024 he took on the role of domestique for Pogacar. He proved to be very effective in it, experienced on working in flat terrain, ideal for launching him in the hills, and also having enough quality in the mountains to support the team's world-class block. Wellens' experience, at 34 years of age, is also very valuable for a team packed with very young riders the team is looking to develop into future leaders.

But in his own right, Wellens is on top of the world. Podium at Strade Bianche (where Pogacar won), Belgian national title and a stage win at the Tour de France where he was again key to Pogacar's overall win, for a second year in a row. "It was a huge success for me. Not only because of the stage win, but also because I arrived in Paris as part of a team that dominated the race," he admits. "It’s an incredible experience".

Asked about the departing Juan Ayuso, Wellens complemented the youngster, who will move on to Lidl-Trek and become a rival for the team in which he turned pro with back in 2021. "Being a professional means different things to different people. Some need to measure everything down to the millimeter; Others need balance to sustain it all year round".

"In UAE, everyone is very professional. Juan has a great mindset for handling it. Juan makes the decision he feels is best for him. But having Pogacar as a benchmark makes life easier. When he's not there, the pressure is greater. We'll see how he does; hopefully very well".

"It will be difficult. I thought it was impossible to improve on 2024, and we did it in 2025. Perhaps it will be difficult to repeat, but this team is full of champions". The team loses Ayuso who was key to the team's tally this year, but with the signing of Benoìt Cosnefroy, and the potential step up by some of its young talents, it is definitely possible to reach that number.

Even if that sounds, for other teams and some fans, like arrogant behaviour in the peloton. "I understand that. If I weren't on the team, perhaps I wouldn't like to see someone else win so much either. But I'm in… and hopefully we'll win 200".

On Isaac del Toro, Wellens has no doubt a future champion (although by most standards he already is) is in the making: "He has natural talent and a very strong mind. He's young, but very mature. He has a huge future".

"It's not my year with the most victories, but it is with the biggest ones. Being national champion in Belgium is huge. And winning a Tour stage in that jersey… it's a dream. I know I'll never win the overall, but for me, that's the ultimate," he says.

Because of this, he may have more leadership opportunities next spring, mainly in the cobbled classics and potentially Ardennes. Much will depend on Pogacar's own calendar choices. "In 2024 I did very well; in 2025 somewhat less so. In 2026 I want to be back at the front. They're races that require strength… and also luck".

And on what makes Pogacar great, the Belgian concluded: "Everyone knows he's the best. But what makes the difference is that he's also one of the best people in the peloton. He stays grounded. That's worth just as much as the wins".