“I think I have also already made quite a few steps in terms of my level,” the American climber continued. “I have been lucky enough to be part of a number of victories, also with Tadej and Isaac this year. I am very grateful for that.”
New-found motivation
Back at Picnic PostNL, Vermaerke was one of the team’s key riders with a top-20 result at Vuelta a Espana or a 6th place at the Arctic Race of Norway. But after five seasons of seeing his team gradually move down the hierarchy of WorldTour teams, he felt the need for a fresh start in a team with different mentality.
According to Vermaerke, the biggest difference with the Dutch team is therefore the motivation. UAE are not chasing smaller goals like was sometimes the case at Picnic:
“When we come to races like this [Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes], we come to win and we have a plan. Everyone invests in that plan. You can therefore give a little extra when you are part of a bigger goal. I think that is very motivating. It is also something new for me, but something I am really enjoying so far.”
More than a work-horse
So far in his new team, Vermaerke’s main task was supporting Tadej Pogacar at Tour de Romandie and Isaac del Toro during the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, but many more opportunities should come from this point onwards.
“In the second half of the season, there will also be personal opportunities. I am looking forward to that as well. I am really enjoying myself so far and I am trying to make the best of it,” he indicated.
UAE Team Emirates – XRG during the team presentation of Milano-Sanremo 2026
“First I am going to the American Championship, which is a big goal. After that, I will go to the Tour of Austria. Those are really the races where I am very motivated to go for a result myself, and to start winning. After Romandie and Dauphiné with Tadej and Isaac respectively, I am really motivated to go for a result of my own.”