Tadej Pogacar new contract reportedly signed - UAE leader has extended his deal until 2032 after details emerged of negotiations
CyclingWednesday, 19 August 2026 at 09:15
Tadej Pogacar appears to have taken the decisive step to extend his deal with UAE Team Emirates-XRG in a surprising turn of events. After we reported on Tuesday that negotiations between both parties and the remaining details to iron out, the major development is that the agreement now seems fully sealed.
That is according to Daniel Benson, a journalist specialising in the transfer market, who has gone a step further than previous reports and is convinced Pogacar has already signed his renewal.
“I’m convinced the deal is already done: Tadej Pogacar has extended his contract with UAE Team Emirates-XRG through the end of 2032. We’re just waiting for the official confirmation from the team,” says Benson.
In other words, Tadej Pogacar is believed to have extended his contract with UAE Team Emirates-XRG through the end of 2032. The only missing piece to make it official is the Emirati team’s press release.
Tadej Pogacar, global star
The deal was in motion
On Tuesday, it was reported that Pogacar had already decided to negotiate an extension with UAE Team Emirates-XRG, even though his current deal runs until 2030.
His agent, Alex Carera, confirmed money was not the issue and that both sides would meet in Monaco to negotiate the details.
"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."
Pogacar wanted 'special clauses'
The key update then was that Pogacar wanted to include several special clauses in his new contract. These would include potential bonuses, greater control over his race programme, and even the use of a private jet for certain transfers. Initially, the idea was to extend at least until 2031.
Carera also made it clear that the intention to renew was there, while warning the deal could take weeks to finalise because this was not a standard renewal. So yesterday the situation was one of open negotiation, with Pogacar and UAE keen to continue together, but without a definitive agreement yet.
“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."
Now comes the major twist: according to Daniel Benson, that process appears to have concluded and the extension through the end of 2032 is already agreed, pending only the official announcement from UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
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.
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- We also have to read "between the lines. " One of his clauses is "greater control over his race programme." That tells me a lot. Pogi has said on many occasions, that he prefers one day races over stage races. In one day races you give it all you've got, especially if it's a famous one day race like the Monuments or other historical classics, where all the best cyclists show up. No thinkig and calculating about the race that happened yesterday and the race that will be tomorrow or the next day, like in stage races. It's that one day, when you leave your heart on the road. That's what Pogi loves. So my take is: When Pogi will win another 2 to 3 TdF it will be over for him. That's where his clause "greater control over his race programme" will be impemented. That's why he's preparing Del Toro, to take over the Giro, Tour and Vuelta races, and Pogi will concentrate only on one day races in his "old age." He will put on more muscle and weight and race most of the classics. I can hardly wait those days to come!!!PogiSloFans19-08-2026
- Yeah, exactly... you just can't handle the truth. I just don't understand why you hate His Royal Infalible Pogness???PogiSloFans19-08-2026
- One more thing they talked about: Carera did not disclose all the details, while Benson cites the possibility of discussions about copyrights and the use of Pogačar's own advertising material, used to promote his own brand and products. The Tadej Pogačar official logo is “T” and “P” - identifying him. The MET helmets already use this logo. All I can say; We are watcing a legend being "born" and his legacy will go on for decades.PogiSloFans19-08-2026
- Die for your country? What nonsense Raf! I understand that that is a quote from Wilfred Owens anti war poem but you have used it out of context here.Cyclingsbestfan19-08-2026
- seems like he has no plans to retire early. that probably ends all the potential burnout rumors after last year‘s tdf.Ketterechts19-08-2026
- What kind of argument is that?????? He went as deep for the Tour last year and still contemplated doing the Vuelta before Worlds He’s never skipped MSR for having gone deep a previous year. Please provide some back up to this claim, also about the criticism aside from some irrelevant posters like us.Jumpyjohn19-08-2026
- And yet, some people go out of their way to put him down. Don’t need to remind of some of the comments before he came out of his dry patch.Jumpyjohn19-08-2026
- Oh boy, don’t push that finger too precisely.Jumpyjohn19-08-2026
- It doesn’t matter, there are people like that in both worlds. Funny how nobody mentioned Tadej, who put « family » loyalty over country. Imagine (would be) soldiers would do the same, well, some did, were called traitors BUT they did change the course of history by prematurely ending stupid wars and practically NOBODY 20-30y later dares criticisethem the way their leaders back then did. You should represent your country, for whatever, IF you believe it’s for the RIGHT reasons and the balance of reasons for/against is ok for you PERSONALLY. Jonas is no different to Tadej in that respect, both have their reasons. Besides, as today again shows very well, NEVER confuse country and (temporary) leaders no matter how much people try to pressure you with guilt. In that respect, Belgium’s federation and all its demands on riders is a very interesting case to review.Jumpyjohn19-08-2026
- Can’t disagree there, no matter how much I appreciate Prim. At some point you have to make way for new generations, in fact, you should be helping not hindering.Jumpyjohn19-08-2026
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