UAE Team Emirates – now known as XRG – was formed in 2017 from the former Lampre-Merida setup. For years it functioned largely as an Italian-focused squad, but its identity has shifted dramatically. Today, it stands as the richest and most dominant team in world cycling, headlined by Tadej Pogačar, its marquee signing in 2019. Yet, there is one rider who has been with the team even longer than the Slovenian star.
That distinction belongs to Norway’s Vegard Stake Laengen. A dependable domestique, he is the only member of the roster who has been part of the project since its inception. Unlike several riders who transitioned directly from Lampre, Laengen was newly signed in 2017. He remains a key figure, acting as road captain throughout the season, and is contracted through 2026 following a winter extension for the now 36-year-old.
Next on the list is Diego Ulissi, who carried over from the Lampre era and rode for UAE from 2017 until 2024. Although he departed this season, he left a major legacy as the team’s second-winningest rider behind Pogačar. Ulissi remains one of the peloton’s most enduring figures and continues to add victories, now racing for XDS Astana Team.
Pogačar himself joined in 2019 and has completed seven seasons with the squad, making him the third-longest-serving rider, tied with several teammates. He arrived alongside Juan Sebastián Molano and the Oliveira twins, Rui and Ivo, all of whom are set to stay with the team past 2025. Jan Polanc and Alessandro Covi also reached seven seasons, though they won’t add to that total, Polanc is retired, and Covi is moving to Team Jayco AlUla this winter. Behind them are Mikkel Bjerg and Brandon McNulty, each with six seasons to their name and poised to climb the longevity ranks next year.
Riders with the most years at UAE Team Emirates – XRG
| Order | Rider | Years | 1st year | Last year |
| 1 | LAENGEN Vegard Stake | 9 | 2017 | 2025 |
| 2 | Diego Ulissi | 8 | 2017 | 2024 |
| 3 | OLIVEIRA Rui | 7 | 2019 | 2025 |
| 3 | OLIVEIRA Ivo | 7 | 2019 | 2025 |
| 3 | POGAČAR Tadej | 7 | 2019 | 2025 |
| 3 | MOLANO Juan Sebastián | 7 | 2019 | 2025 |
| 3 | POLANC Jan | 7 | 2017 | 2023 |
| 7 | COVI Alessandro | 7 | 2018 | 2025 |
| 7 | COSTA Rui | 6 | 2017 | 2022 |
| 7 | MCNULTY Brandon | 6 | 2020 | 2025 |
| 7 | BJERG Mikkel | 6 | 2020 | 2025 |
| 7 | MIRZA Yousif | 6 | 2017 | 2022 |
| 7 | RICHEZE Max | 6 | 2017 | 2022 |
| 7 | TROIA Oliviero | 6 | 2017 | 2022 |
| 14 | MARCATO Marco | 5 | 2017 | 2021 |
| 14 | MAJKA Rafał | 5 | 2021 | 2025 |
| 14 | CONTI Valerio | 5 | 2017 | 2021 |
| 14 | MARCATO Marco | 5 | 2017 | 2021 |
| 14 | RIABUSHENKO Alexandr | 5 | 2017 | 2021 |
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