"We always have two or three riders who can win": Adam Yates points out UAE's main secret to being the winning-most team

Adam Yates enjoyed many productive years as a co-leader of Mitchelton-Scott alongside his twin-brother Simon, but it was only with his move to UAE Team Emirates - XRG that the Briton seems to have finally find his perfect role in the peloton. Owner of multiple big victories including individual triumphs at Grand Tours, Yates has found his mission for the late chapters of his career as a luxury domestique in world's best team, and especially for Tadej Pogacar.

Speaking to WielerFlits, Yates explains there is no secret to UAE's continuous rise to the top: "As a team, we work very hard in training, and that pays off in the races. We are winning a lot of races, but we realize that it will be very difficult to equal last year’s record (97 wins). That was exceptional."

Whether the team will be able to match its own record in 2026 remains to be seen according to Yates, but UAE got off to a strong start in January with 6 victories. "We have to wait and see how the season progresses and whether we can all reach that high level again. But I think we’ve started very well again and we’ve already won Tour Down Under and the AlUla Tour. We want to continue that."

A key to this productivity lies in the teams unmatched depth. "The team has a lot of good riders. When you join, you know what to expect. Tadej Pogacar leads wherever he starts. But if he's not there for a while, we still have two or three riders who can win. That's how this team has been doing for years, that's also why we win so many races. We have a lot of options, and everyone always seems motivated to win."

Tadej Pogacar is undeniably a leading figure of UAE Team Emirates - XRG with 4 Tour de France crowns, 2 world titles, and 10 Monuments to his name at the age of only 27. Racing next to such a star and reliable leader is a privilege, but it also allows riders like Yates to race with a free mind, something the 33-year-old values a lot. And when 'Pogi' is not there, UAE always comes prepare with leader, co-leader, and a couple back-up plans, spreading the pressure proportionally.

"It often takes the pressure off. When you go to a small race and there are three leaders, that pressure is spread across multiple riders. For me personally, that helps. With Tadej around, it's different; he's the number one, and he shows that time and again. But he also takes a lot of pressure off. Almost every time you work for him, he finishes it off. That's a great work environment."

"When I joined the team, I was asked if I was interested in being Tadej's last man in the mountains. I immediately said yes. He's shown in recent years that he's the best in the world, perhaps the best ever. It's simply an honor to be able to work for someone like that and win together. But also with others. I'll be supporting Isaac Del Toro in the UAE Tour."