OFFICIAL: UAE Adds Another Quality Classics Rider to Its Tadej Pogačar-Led Block

OFFICIAL: UAE Adds Another Quality Classics Rider to Its Tadej Pogačar-Led Block

 

 

 

UAE Team Emirates-XRG have officially strengthened their already formidable roster, confirming the signing of Italian all-rounder Marco Frigo on a two-year contract that will run through the end of the 2028 season. Frigo will join the Emirati powerhouse from NSN Cycling Team at the start of 2027.

The move represents another important addition to a team that has built one of the deepest squads in professional cycling around its superstar leader, Tadej Pogačar. While Pogačar remains the undisputed centrepiece of the project, UAE have increasingly invested in riders capable of supporting him across different terrains and race scenarios.

Frigo, 26, has developed a reputation as a versatile rider with the ability to perform on demanding stages, in breakaways and on tougher one-day courses. His progression has been particularly notable over the past two seasons. He secured his first professional victory at the 2025 Tour of the Alps before taking another major step in 2026 by completing his first Tour de France.

That combination of versatility and experience makes Frigo an intriguing fit for UAE’s ambitions. The team already possesses a powerful collection of Classics specialists and versatile domestiques, including riders such as Florian Vermeersch and Tim Wellens. Vermeersch, in particular, has become an important cobbled-Classics support rider for Pogačar and recently extended his UAE contract through 2029.

Frigo’s arrival therefore adds another layer to an already exceptionally deep group. Rather than simply relying on one or two riders to control races, UAE can deploy multiple options depending on the terrain, weather and tactical demands.

For Pogačar, that depth can be particularly valuable during the Classics. The Slovenian has established himself as one of the defining riders of his generation and has increasingly targeted major one-day races alongside his Grand Tour ambitions. UAE’s 2026 strategy has included a strong emphasis on the biggest Classics, reflecting the importance of surrounding their leader with riders who can support aggressive racing.

Frigo himself believes the move represents an opportunity to continue developing his identity as a professional rider. After his first four seasons in the professional ranks, he feels UAE understood his strengths and shared his vision for the future.

The signing also demonstrates UAE’s continued long-term planning. The team has already committed several key riders to extended contracts while continuing to bring promising talent into its system.

With Pogačar leading the project, and a growing collection of experienced Classics specialists and emerging riders around him, UAE Team Emirates-XRG are clearly preparing for sustained dominance rather than relying solely on their current generation.

Marco Frigo’s arrival may not carry the same headline value as signing a global superstar, but strategically it could prove highly significant. His versatility gives UAE another dependable option and further strengthens a squad already designed to support Pogačar when cycling’s biggest races reach their most decisive moments.

For the rest of the peloton, the message is clear: UAE Team Emirates-XRG are still building.