"The only one who could follow Tadej Pogacar " - UAE Team Emirates see new superstar in Portuguese talent António Morgado

UAE Team Emirates had a superb winter in the transfer market. Tour de l'Avenir winner Isaac del Toro, Pavel Sivakov and Nils Politt were among the signings; but perhaps above them all in terms of expectations in the team is António Morgado, as reported by members of the Emirati team.

"I have dreamed all my life of becoming a classification rider and shining in the Tour. I'm a bit heavy, I weigh 70.5 kilograms. We have time to work on that," Morgado tells in an interview with Sporza. In his neo-pro season, the 19-year old has already made his debut with the team at the Tour Down Under, and will be testing himself throughout the year in a variety of races - and possibly goals as well, depending on his performance.

The Belgian news outlet gathered insight from the team into Morgado's first impressions riding with the team, and they are nothing but promising. "Morgado is a special rider who underestimates himself very much. He doesn't know how strong he is," his teammate Tim Wellens says.

Recently the team were in Spain in a training camp ahead of the 2024 season, and Wellens shares an interesting detail on one of the rider: "That young guy was the only one who could follow Tadej Pogacar when the training continued after 6 hours of training at an average of 40 km/h." Needless to say, this sort of declaration leaves an impression with the team, that want to develop him into a new leader. Morgado was second at the Junior World Championships two years ago, and second again last year but in the under-23 category.

However, the biggest words on Morgado are from team manager Joxean Matxin, who tells that he takes care of the Portuguese in a way that not even Tadej Pogacar had the privilege in his younger years. "Morgado is timid and doesn't talk much. But when he gets on a bike, he is a different person and he becomes a killer. I don't think he will become a star, I'm sure." he adds. "Morgado is good, very good. I have no doubt that he will win prizes in his first professional year. He will already be the big revelation of the international peloton this year."

"Antonio can do well uphill, but he is not a pure climber of 50 kilograms. Antonio is someone who needs confidence and warmth. That's why I care about him and take him under my wings. I've never done that, not even with Pogacar or Ayuso. He can call me at any time of the day, even at 2 a.m., although my wife may not like that."