UAE secure one of Tadej Pogacar's right-hand men until 2029 - "This team has become like a second family for me"

UAE Team Emirates - XRG have announced the renewal of Nils Politt, with a new contract that runs all the way into 2029. This come as positive news for Tadej Pogacar, who has in the German one of his most important support riders.

“I’m really happy to continue with UAE Team Emirates-XRG. From the first day I arrived, I felt at home here and over the last years this team has become like a second family for me," Politt said in a press release.

"The atmosphere inside this group is something special – everyone works hard together but also enjoys being together, and that makes a big difference during a long season. I feel appreciated here, both as a rider and as a person, and that made this decision very easy. We’ve already achieved so much together but I still feel there is a lot more to come. I’m excited to continue this journey with the team for the next years.”

Politt joined the team back in 2024, entering the team with an established palmarès that included a stage win at the 2021 Tour de France and podium finishes at Paris-Roubaix. His role however would be very different.

But Politt has become one of the most recognizable and efficient domestiques in pro cycling. At age 30, the German powerhouse turned a chapter in his career. His ability on the bike did not seem to lower in any way, but at UAE Team Emirates - XRG he became a support rider for Tadej Pogacar.

This doesn't mean he never had his opportunities. In 2024 he entered the team as a new leader for the cobbled classics and immediately impressed with a third place at the Tour of Flanders and fourth at Paris-Roubaix. At the Tour de France later that year he was given the responsibility of chasing breakaways and protecting Tadej Pogacar on the flat days, and thrived in that role.

Politt's ability to race on the flat terrain, positioning skills and endurance has made him an invaluable piece of the Slovenian's setup to win the big races - both in the summer and sprint respectively. He helped Pogacar win the 2025 Tour de France as well as a loyal road captain and although his presence at this summer's Grand Boucle hasn't yet been confirmed, it is very likely and this renewal confirms the current good moment in the relationship between rider and team.

Politt was also key in Tadej Pogacar's Paris-Roubaix attempts, this year specially after the Slovenian suffered a mechanical problem that saw him lose meaningful time before the start of the key part of the race.