"We are always looking for riders with a lot of potential" - Joxean Matxin outlines UAE Team Emirates transfer policy

Despite Jumbo-Visma taking all three Grand Tours in 2023 it is UAE Team Emirates who lead the UCI team rankings. A big part of this success is the team full of quality and potential built by Joxean Matxin containing the likes of Tadej Pogacar, Joao Almeida and Juan Ayuso.

"I'm doing everything at the moment, I'm maintaining all contacts," the 52-year-old Spaniard tells Eurosport, explaining how he has a very defined target when scouting riders. "We are always looking for riders with a lot of potential. When you have young boys, you always have an advantage with sponsors. With older riders you have to look more at the present. If we contract a rider until 2028, our team will exist at least until that year. If we want, we can even offer a promise a ten-year contract."

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As mentioned, this strategy has proven dividends with the likes of Pogacar, Ayuso and Almeida all growing into prominence whilst at UAE Team Emirates. "I have known him since he was very young, when I helped him with a contract. Thanks to me, he ended up at Soudal Quick-Step and then I also brought him to this team," Matxin says, using Almeida as an example of his success. "I have a personal friendship with João. It's a process that started years ago. The same goes for Ayuso, Pogačar and many more.”

Earlier this year, UAE Team Emirates made another step in their goal to secure the contracts of the best young riders by announcing the formation of their 'Gen Z team', which already has ten riders contracted, all of whom are under the age of 20.

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