Tadej Pogačar Will Race Into His Mid-30s After Blockbuster Contract Extension

Tadej Pogačar might not race again in 2026, but cycling’s dominant superstar is not going anywhere soon.

UAE Emirates-XRG confirmed Saturday that Pogačar extended his contract through 2032, adding two more seasons to a deal that already ranked among the longest and most lucrative in professional cycling.

Financial details were not disclosed. Pogačar is already believed to be the highest-paid rider in the peloton, reportedly earning close to $9 million per season.

“From the beginning, this team has felt like home for me. We have grown together over the years and shared some incredible moments, so I’m very happy to extend my contract until 2032,” Pogačar said.

“There is still a lot I want to achieve in this sport and I believe this is the right place to do it. I’m very grateful for the trust the team has shown in me and excited about what we can continue to build together.”

The extension also comes after Pogačar appeared to rediscover his joy for racing in 2026, one year after ending his campaign complaining of burnout and mental fatigue.

The announcement came on the same day UAE confirmed Pogačar will not race again this season following his heavy crash at the Vuelta a España.

UAE said it will not place a timetable on his return, allowing Pogačar to concentrate fully on his recovery.

Contract keeps Pogačar at UAE through age 34

The extension means cycling’s modern GOAT could keep punishing rivals and delighting fans until he’s 34, and push his relationship with UAE through 14 seasons.

Pogi’s current deal is already makes him cycling’s best-paid rider at a base salary estimated at €8 million (close to $9 million) per season.

That means the six seasons from 2027 through 2032 could be worth at least €48 million before bonuses if the base pay remains the same.

La Gazzetta dello Sport revealed that Pogačar earned another €1 million for his fifth Tour victory and is poised to collect €500,000 for finishing 2026 as world No. 1. Winning La Vuelta and world title would have seen an additional €500,000 and €250,000, respectively.

Pogačar’s growing personal sponsorship empire adds millions more per season.

Details of a bonus structure or salary were not made public.

Still some unfinished business

Pogačar says there’s still plenty of milestones to chase to keep things interesting.

UAE signed the Slovenian ahead of the 2019 season, and stunned Primož Roglič to win his first Tour de France in 2020 to launch the Pogačar era.

Pogi has since won five yellow jerseys, two world road titles, one Giro d’Italia, and 13 monuments, climbing to second behind Eddy Merckx on the all-time monument list.

His victory at Milan-San Remo this spring left Paris-Roubaix as the only monument missing from his palmarès. The Vuelta also remains unfinished business, so those two races now stand out as the most tantalizing targets in King Pog’s career.

Pogačar’s extension comes after UAE penned a longterm deal to keep Isaac del Toro on the payroll as well through 2031.

“Tadej has been central to the journey and development of this team, and we are extremely proud that this relationship will continue through 2032,” team principal and CEO Mauro Gianetti said.

That’s great news for fans of the charismatic Slovenian who is shattering some of cycling’s most sacred records and having fun doing it.

Bad news, perhaps, for the rivals are growing exasperated at trying to find a way to beat him.