Pogačar gains versatile Italian teammate as Frigo joins UAE Team Emirates

Italian cyclist Marco Frigo is set to join the ranks of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, a team featuring Slovenian stars Tadej Pogačar and Domen Novak. The 26-year-old has inked a two-year deal through the end of 2028, bringing his four-season tenure with the NSN team (formerly Israel-Premier Tech) to a close.

Frigo, known for his versatility and success in breakaways, has a history of strong performances in major races. He has secured second-place finishes in multiple Vuelta stages, a third place in the Giro d'Italia, and a fourth place in a Tour de France stage this year. His career win came in 2025 on the Tour of the Alps, where he outlasted the peloton after a long breakaway.

While Frigo has often been a key figure in breakaways, his role at UAE Team Emirates is expected to evolve. The team likely intends for him to utilize his endurance to control the pace within the main peloton, ensuring their leaders are in prime position. This strategic shift highlights the team's focus on strengthening its overall race strategy for upcoming seasons.

The team has also been active in securing its core roster, extending contracts for Mexican rider Isaac del Toro and Ecuadorian Jhonatan Narváez. Domen Novak's contract runs through 2027, and Tadej Pogačar is committed until the end of the 2030 season. However, the team will see departures, including Juan Sebastian Molano, Pavel Sivakov, and Rune Herregodts.

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I believe that in the first four seasons of my professional career, I have found my identity. It seems to me that the Emirates have seen this, they believe in me, and our view of the future completely aligns.