Joxean Fernández “Rebel” (53 years old) extends until 2028 with the formation of Tadej Pogacar, UAE Team Emirates. Arriving at the end of 2017 in the team, the Spaniard notably passed through the team Saunier Duvalbut also by Lampre-Merida (the ancestor of UAE Team Emirates). In an interview given to our Spanish colleagues fromAS, rebel returned to the reasons which pushed him to renew his contract, but also to his opinion concerning Tadej Pogacar and the season ofUAE Team Emirates. “I'm not giving the season a 10 because there's always room for improvement.”he explained.
Video – Matxin Fernandez after the sacrament of Tadej Pogacar
“I feel part of the project”
“Feeling part of this project, because it’s more of a family than a simple work team, is something important. We see that they value you… Continuity has been easy. I have never been moved by an economic concept. You have to know all the guidelines to follow, know how to define boundaries. When you grow up, you have to know how to delegate. For example, I know mechanics, osteopathy… I have. basis for giving an opinion, but I would never decide on questions of this type. Many people on this project are important, and I have blind confidence in Mauro Gianetti and in him. I would not give it a 10. for the 2024 season, since the goal was to win all three grand tours and set a winning record. You can never give that rating, because there is always something to improve.”he explains.
Matxin on Tadej Pogacar and the long-term contracts of UAE Team Emirates
Joxean Fernández “Rebellious” also talks about Tadej Pogacar and long-term contracts that distinguish UAE Team Emirates of other teams. “It's not that I believe in it, it's that I'm convinced of it. I don't doubt it. Obviously, it won't be a 30% margin, but I don't know if it can be 5%, 2%, 1% He knows how to do it and how to execute it. He has climbs in which Tadej. [Pogacar] suffered, yes… Those who don't know Pogacar may think it might bother him, but those who know him know it's a motivation for him. If anyone is close to perfect, it’s always Pogacar.”
He continues: “There will be a lot of people who say it's not done well, but the peace of mind a rider has with it… Plus, I think we're the only ones, or one of the rare, to have an open contract In other words, if a rider wins X races and achieves Y objectives, then the contract is re-evaluated and he can earn more. what is planned. You have the guarantee and confidence of the team throughout this period, as well as the possibility of changing the contract. What is the problem for the cyclist? In those years, we've only signed one high-contract driver who could be a leader: Adam Yates. We trained the rest: Pogacar, Ayuso, Del Toro, Torres, Almeida.”concludes the Spanish sports director in his interview with the media AS.
