🎥 The UAE Tour was much more than just a race for Tadej Pogacar, thanks to a visit from his family

There was no doubt that Tadej Pogacar would win the UAE Tour last week. The Slovenian from UAE Team Emirates-XRG won the mountain stages to Jebel Jais and Jebel Hafeet as expected and also showed his skills in the echelons and a 100-kilometer-long flat stage. "A week in the desert flies when you're having fun," he wrote tellingly on Sunday evening on his social media channels. And fun is what he had, both on and off the bike...

Pogacar was extremely successful throughout the week in his team's home race, which was unsurprising. The world champion's parents had come to the desert, which undoubtedly provided a little extra incentive —a 'bonus' as he described the presence of his father Mirko, mother Marjeta, and sister Vita. He hugged them all the whole week after each stage finish.

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Pogacar family proud of ruling Tadej

The Pogacar family was also noticed by the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, which followed him from a media moment on Sunday, February 16. Why did you sprint along? They wondered about it on day 1. Why wasn't Pogacar's time trial kit rejected on day two? Then, on the third day, he went to Jebel Jais, where Pogacar won the stage, the leader's jersey, and hugs from his family. "I'm glad they're there and like it. That's why I'm enjoying it too."

Pogacar has already confirmed that his mom and dad provide him with 'extra motivation'. Maybe that's why he was so sharp in the echelons on day four and attacked for more than 100 kilometers in a flat stage on day five. Mother Marjeta: "I'm happy when Tadej is happy. I don't care whether he wins or which jersey he wears as long as he's happy. It's hard to grasp what's happening to our family, but apart from all that, I'm just as proud of Vita."

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Pogacar on the attack on day five, in a flat stage

UAE Team Emirates-XRG publishes beautiful video about Pogacar

When Pogacar finished his solo on Jebel Hafeet at the weekend, UAE Team Emirates-XRG published a wonderful video on their official channels. "Happiness is a feeling that seems to last forever—a hug as a moment of peace, the warmth of a shared laugh. Happiness is not something you look for; you find it in the most unexpected moments. When we let go of our worries and dare to be in the moment."

The entire video features images of Pogacar hugging his family, cheering with his teammates, and laughing with fans along the side of the road. In the end, the video says, "Happiness is an emotion that grows from within when we look at the world with gratitude and see every day as a gift." Pogacar surely won't soon forget the week he spent with his family on the UAE Tour.

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