“Being on the same team as Pogacar is very special,” said Rune Herregodts, who was eager to show what he could do at UAE Team Emirates.

After the off-season, UAE Team Emirates has added five new members. These new players include 26-year-old Belgian Rune Herregodts, who comes from Intermarché and signs a two-year deal. Wanty, who won the ZLM Tour recently, is eager to show what he can do.

“I was flattered that such a big team showed interest,” Herregodts told Wieler Revue about his unplanned move to the modern peloton’s most dominant team. “I did think for a moment, though: I’m happy at Intermarché-Wanty, and how many chances will I get at such a big team? Although it wasn’t easy, joining UAE Team Emirates is a big step forward.

“I started cycling not because I wanted to become a professional cyclist, but because I liked the sport.” “That’s very special, and I never dared to imagine it,” says the Belgian time-trial expert, adding that the obvious appeal of riding with Tadej Pogacar also helped him make up his mind. Indeed, working with Pogacar is a unique experience. It would be weird to say that one person is the only reason you go to a team. Actually, that’s not true, but that doesn’t make it less special.

After proving himself to be a very good rider over the last few seasons by adding five victories to his record and competing in his first Grand Tour, the 2023 Vuelta a España (although he dropped out on stage 16), Herregodts is now ready to test himself again. By joining UAE Team Emirates, which has arguably the best setup in the modern peloton, it wouldn’t be surprising if the 26-year-old improved his level a lot over the next few seasons, as many other riders have done since joining.