The Galacticos: Who Are They?

by Sophie She

The Galacticos: Who Are They?

28 Jun 2024

As you know from this piece of ours, Le Tour is very close. On July 29th, the Grand Départ will take place in the great city of Florence, and the game will be on. Spanning over 3,498 kilometres in total and welcoming 176 riders overall, this year has its stars that shine bright.

“Galacticos,” as cycling fans call them, are iconic. Some even call this year’s UAE Cycling Team combination of riders the best squad list in the history of Le Tour. So, how about we discover what the buzz is about?

UAE Team Emirates: A Brief History

Foundation and Early Years

UAE Team Emirates is a professional road cycling team founded in 2017. It is based in the United Arab Emirates and is sponsored by Emirates, the country's flag carrier.

Since its inception, the team has quickly risen through the ranks, achieving notable successes in a short period. The team's goals include continuing to perform at the highest levels of professional cycling and further promoting cycling in the UAE.

What’s interesting, UAE Team Emirates indeed focus on nurturing young talent (halew to Tadej), as they even have their Gen Z list of young talents on their website, proving their future-seeing vision.

The team's philosophy is rooted in strategic racing, scientific training, and a commitment to promoting the sport of cycling within the UAE and globally.

Source: uaeteamemirates.com

Key Milestones

2017: The team made its debut in the UCI World Tour (which is a world championship in cycling), participating in prestigious races like the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and Vuelta a España. The team's early years were marked by efforts to establish a strong presence in the competitive cycling world, in which they succeeded, winning multiple stages in their first Le Tour.

2020: The team achieved significant success when Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogačar won the Tour de France. This victory was a landmark moment for UAE Team Emirates, catapulting them into the global spotlight.

2021: Tadej Pogačar successfully defended his Tour de France title, securing back-to-back wins and solidifying the team's reputation as a powerhouse in professional cycling.

The Team Structure

Management and Directors

Mauro Gianetti — Team Principal & CEO

Gianetti plays a crucial role in overseeing the team's operations, strategy, and performance. Previously a successful cyclist, his leadership has been instrumental in guiding the team to its current stature.

Matxin Joxean Fernández — Sports Manager

Known for his strategic acumen, Fernández serves as one of the team's Sports Managers. He brings a wealth of experience and tactical knowledge, crucial for navigating the complexities of professional cycling races.

Besides, in this year’s Tour de France, along with Maxtin Joxean, the riders will have the support of Sports Directors Andrej Hauptman, Simone Pedrazzini, and Fabrizio Guidi.

The Galacticos: Riders at Le Tour 2024

Tadej Pogačar

Undoubtedly the team's most prominent cyclist, Pogačar's victories in the Tour de France have made him a household name. His prowess in both climbing and time-trialling makes him a versatile and formidable competitor.

After his win in Giro d’Italia, Tadej will be looking forward to coming back to Italy for the second one, to mark the historic double-win of grand tours.

Tadej Pogačar. Source: uaeteamemirates.com

Commenting on his anticipation of Le Tour, Tadej said: ”It’s already my fifth time coming to the Tour, and I’m really excited about it. We’ve worked really hard all year as a team to prepare for this, and we hope we can give everyone watching 3 weeks of exciting racing.”

Pavel Sivakov

Pavel Sivakov, the versatile Russian cyclist, brings a wealth of experience and endurance to the UAE Team Emirates. With his strong performance in both Grand Tours and one-day races, Sivakov's ability to support the team in various terrains will be instrumental in their Tour de France campaign.

Pavel Sivakov. Source: uaeteamemirates.com

Juan Ayuso

The young Spanish prodigy, Juan finished on the podium of the Vuelta a España at 19 years old. Known for his climbing abilities and aggressive racing style, Ayuso is poised to be a key contender in the mountain stages.

Providing a short inspiration to all of us, Juan shared: “I’ve dreamed of being at the Tour de France since I was a kid, so being here about to start my first Tour feels amazing. It’s a privilege to be part of a race like this in a team like this, so I will try and soak it all in as much as possible, but we have a big objective also, and that is to win. We’re coming from a good block of training at Isola, and the group is really united and motivated, so we can hope for good things over the next three weeks.”

Juan Ayuso. Source: uaeteamemirates.com

Marc Soler

The Spanish all-rounder, Marc Soler, is celebrated for his climbing skills and tenacity. His ability to perform in the mountains and his tactical acumen will be essential for UAE Team Emirates as they navigate the challenging stages of the Tour.

Marc Soler. Instagram: @solermarc93

Nils Politt

The powerful German rider, Nils Politt, is renowned for his prowess in breakaways and time trials. Politt's strength on flat and rolling terrains, along with his capacity to drive the pace and support his teammates, will definitely play a crucial role.

Nils Politt. Source: uaeteamemirates.com

Adam Yates

Yates is a legendary name by now. British cyclist, Adam brings a combination of climbing expertise and a solid track record in Grand Tours, Yates' experience and ability to compete in the general classification make him a key leader for UAE Team Emirates in the 2024 Tour de France.

Sharing about his preparations, Adam commented: “I think as a group, we’re in a really good place and know what we have to do to support Tadej. We’re aiming for the win, and we know if things go our way, it’s possible, so it’s just a matter of staying focused and pulling together all the way to Nice.”

Adam Yates. Instagram: @adamyates7

João Almeida

Portuguese rider, Almeida is known for his consistency and strong performances in stage races. With impressive results in previous Grand Tours, Almeida's climbing and time-trial abilities make him a star, particularly in stages requiring endurance and tactical precision.

João Almeida. Instagram: @joao.almeida.cyclist

Tim Wellens

Belgian cyclist Tim Wellens is famous for his aggressive racing style and versatility.He is fun to watch, really. Wellens excels in hilly terrains and breakaway scenarios, making him an essential player in the team's strategy to secure stage wins and support the overall ambitions

Tim Wellens. Source: uaeteamemirates.com

Why Galacticos?

The UAE Team Emirates squad for the Tour de France 2024 is often referred to as "Galácticos" due to the impressive lineup of star cyclists they have assembled.

The term "Galácticos" originally comes from the world of football, specifically referring to Real Madrid's strategy of signing high-profile, world-class players. By drawing a parallel, the nickname for UAE Team Emirates signifies their collection of elite cyclists, each with a notable track record and the potential to achieve significant results in the Tour de France.

What are the Galacticos’ chances of success?

UAE Team Emirates boasts a formidable lineup for the Tour de France 2024, headlined by multiple Tour winner Tadej Pogačar.

With strong GC contenders like João Almeida and Adam Yates, alongside versatile support riders such as Juan Ayuso, Marc Soler, Pavel Sivakov, Tim Wellens, and Nils Politt, the team is well-equipped to aim for overall victory, multiple stage wins, and podium finishes.

Their blend of climbing prowess, time-trial strength, and strategic depth positions them as a top contender for achieving significant success in the race.

UAE Team Emirates has established itself as a significant force in professional cycling. With strong leadership, a talented roster of cyclists, and a vision for growth and excellence, the team is poised to achieve even greater heights in the years to come. Their journey from a new entrant to a dominant force in the cycling world is a testament to their dedication, strategic planning, and passion for the sport.

by Sophie She