🚨 Rafał Majka has a verbal agreement to stay with UAE Team Emirates, team boss Mauro Gianetti told GCN. Deal will be finalised after the Giro d'Italia 🇵🇱🇦🇪
UAE Team Emirates boss confirms Tadej Pogacar's key domestique is close to renewing
CyclingSunday, 19 May 2024 at 08:30
A vital part of Tadej Pogacar's second Tour de France triumph in 2021, Rafal Majka has been racing in the UAE Team Emirates jersey for fourth season now and during that period has become Pogacar's reliable right-hand man in hunt for eternal glory.
In an interview with GCN, Mauro Gianetti, UAE Team Emirates's boss, talked mainly about Pogacar's path to Giro d'Italia triumph and the offensive they expect to see from their oppponents, who, in case they want to turn the tides of battle, will have to deploy desperate tactics to shake up the unshakable holder of Maglia Rosa. On this opportunity, Gianetti also noted that Majka's pressence will be invaluable to neutralize all attacks in the mountains.
And while there is yet to be official confirmation, it's unimaginable to think Rafal Majka would change colours for 2025 - something Gianetti admits himself in the chat with GCN. According to the website's writer Daniel Benson, the renewal of the 34-year-old is only a formality as both parties have already reached verbal agreement on prolongation of their cooperation. The actual re-signing should take place after Giro d'Italia.
Currently smooth sailing through Italy along with his Slovenian leader, Majka is completing the 22nd Grand Tour of his professional career. A number that makes the Pole climber one of the most experienced riders in the peloton, not only by age.
More recent cycling fans would mostly remember the Polish climber in loyal services of Tadej Pogacar, however Majka used to be a fearsome leader even before joining the team from United Arab Emirates, albeit his victory counter reads only "15".
As a testament to his climbing ability stand two Polka Dot jerseys hanging from his wall. Majka was crowned the best climber of Tour de France in years 2014 and 2016. The period was the best in Majka's career GC-wise with culmination at 2015 Vuelta a Espana, where then 25-year-old Majka climbed onto the final podium in Madrid, losing a little bit more than a minute to winner Fabio Aru. Second was the fan favourite Joaquím Rodríguez.
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