VN news ticker: Tadej Pogačar extends with UAE-Team Emirates through 2027, Ineos signs Luke Plapp

Tadej Pogačar to stay with UAE-Team Emirates through 2027

Less than six months after penning a massive multi-year deal, Tadej Pogačar has put pen to paper once again to add at least one more year to his term at UAE-Team Emirates.

Pogačar was already due to stick with the team until 2026, after signing a new deal in March, but this new contract will see the double Tour de France champion stick around through 2027.

The 22-year-old won his second straight Tour de France title earlier this month, beating Jonas Vingegaard by more than five minutes in the GC. He went on to take a bronze medal in the Olympics road race last weekend.

“I’m really happy to be able to commit my future to the team and stay here for the next years,” Pogačar said. “I feel at home here, it feels like a big family. This team is a really good fit for me, and I am fortunate to say that I have not only found colleagues but friends. I’m excited for the years ahead and what they will bring, hopefully, more success for me and for the team. I hope we are inspiring lots of kids to ride bikes.”

Ineos Grenadiers snaps up rising star Luke Plapp

The main transfer season won’t get underway until next week, but Ineos Grenadiers has already started securing its 2022 line-up with the signing of rising star Luke Plapp.

The 20-year-old Australian beat Luke Durbridge to take the national time trial title earlier this year and finished second to Remco Evenepoel in the junior time trial at the 2018 world championships. He is due to ride at the Olympic Games next week in the team pursuit before heading to Europe to begin his road career.

“It’s the team that everyone dreams of going to, it’s one I especially dreamt of going to, then when everything was signed it felt kinda crazy that it’s all going ahead,” Plapp said.

Anna Henderson takes first professional win

Jumbo-Visma rider Anna Henderson notched up her first-ever professional win, taking the opening stage of the Tour de Belle Isle Terre-Kreiz Breizh.

Henderson got away from the peloton with her teammate Anouska Koster, and DSM riders Pfeiffer Georgi and Floortje Mackaij on the hilly stage. After an attack from Koster was brought back inside the final kilometer, Henderson took the stage in the sprint.

The peloton came across the line some 53 seconds behind the breakaway quartet.

“I’m really happy with this win,” Henderson said. “The girls were super strong today. We were all in the front to either attack or to counter them. The girls helped me a lot so I could save my energy for the final. Anouska’s attack in the final lap was perfect.

“That way I could follow and wait for the sprint. I was confident in my sprint and luckily I managed to finish it off. It’s my first professional victory. We have shown the true meaning of teamwork and I’m more than proud of the team in how we rode today. This win is also for them.”