“Working with Tadej Pogacar is easy – he’s been the best rider in the world for five years running”: Matxin reflects on record-breaking 2025 season for UAE

For Joxean Matxin, there’s no secret to UAE Team Emirates - XRG’s historic 2025 campaign — there’s just Tadej Pogacar. The Slovenian once again stood at the heart of everything as the team rewrote the record books with 95 victories, the highest tally ever achieved by a professional squad.

“Working with Pogacar is very easy. He makes things simple for us,” Matxin told Marca. “He’s a leader who listens, who enjoys what he does, who inspires. He’s been the best rider in the world for five years running. It’s unique. He has talent, hunger, and an ability to reinvent himself every season that sets him apart.”

Pogacar’s 2025 season bordered on mythical: victory at the Tour de France, World Championships, European Championships, and three Monuments — Flanders, Liege and Lombardy — alongside triumphs at Strade Bianche, Fleche Wallonne, and the Criterium du Dauphine. Even in races he didn’t win, he was never far from the podium.

Matxin believes it’s not just the results, but the manner of Pogacar’s racing that sets him apart. “His way of racing – attacking from distance, taking risks – has brought excitement back to the sport,” he said.

While Pogacar’s brilliance continues to define the team’s identity, Matxin insists UAE’s success is built on a structure that has become cycling’s gold standard. Under the leadership of Matxin and Mauro Gianetti, the Emirati squad has evolved into a winning machine capable of dominating across continents and terrains.

“We didn’t quite reach 100, but almost – and we broke the record,” Matxin reflected. “Honestly, I’ve never experienced anything like it. The numbers are incredible, but what I value most is the way we achieved them.”

UAE’s 95 victories smashed the long-standing record set by Columbia-HTC in 2009. Behind Pogacar’s 20-plus triumphs came a wave of contributions from across the roster: Isaac del Toro emerged as the revelation of the season with 18 wins, Joao Almeida added 10, Juan Ayuso (8), Brandon McNulty (6), and Jay Vine (5) all played vital roles. In total, 20 different riders crossed the line first at least once — a feat Matxin credits to meticulous balance and internal trust.

“The key is giving everyone their space,” he explained. “We keep our structure and our rules. There are good moments and bad, but everyone knows what’s expected of them.”

That discipline and clarity helped UAE almost double the victory count of their closest rivals. Soudal - Quick-Step finished a distant second on 54 wins, followed by Lidl-Trek (46) and Visma | Lease a Bike (40).

Keeping harmony in such a powerful team, Matxin admits, requires transparency. “Everyone knows their role — when they have freedom, and when they must work for the team. The secret is keeping your word and enjoying the collective success,” he said.

The departure of Ayuso to Lidl-Trek and the rise of Del Toro are just natural steps in that evolution. “My relationship with Ayuso is good. I wish him the best. It’s like a river — it flows, and you must let things follow their course.”

Del Toro, meanwhile, represents the next frontier of the UAE project. “Del Toro gives us room to rethink our strategies,” said Matxin. “He’s intelligent, humble, a hard worker, and his potential is enormous. There’s no rush, but his presence opens new possibilities across many races.”

Even after such an unprecedented season, Matxin’s tone remains one of drive rather than satisfaction. “Outstanding – but there’s still room to improve,” he said. “We’ve pushed hard, responsibly, without ever relaxing. The goal was to get better, and we have done.”

Asked about future ambitions, Matxin confirmed that Pogacar’s focus remains unchanged despite rumours of a possible Giro–Vuelta double. “For now, it’s the Tour and the Worlds. That’s the plan. We’ll see later. If one day he decides to change, it will be for passion – not strategy.”

For the Spaniard, the real challenge is sustaining the same hunger that has defined their rise. “When things go this well, the danger is to settle. That’s why we’re already thinking about 2026. We want to keep growing. Winning is great, but how you win matters even more. Our duty is to never lose the passion.”

UAE Team Emirates’ 2025 season will be remembered as a masterclass in balance — the perfect harmony of leadership, depth and ambition. Pogacar may be the face of their dominance, but behind him stands a collective built with precision by Matxin and Gianetti.

As Matxin summed up: “I’ve never worked with a group so complete and so human. There’s respect, hunger and joy. You can’t buy that. It’s what makes this team great.”