Wielerflits reports that new Spanish climbing sensation Pablo Torres has agreed to what is believed to be the longest contract of any WorldTour professional, with UAE Team Emirates. This neo-pro, aged just 18 from Madrid, has secured a deal that will keep him with the team until 2030. Torres has already made waves this year by setting a new record on the Colle delle Finestre, one of Italyโs toughest Alpine ascents, during the recent Tour de l’Avenir, where he clinched second place overall.
As a member of the UAE Gen Z development squad this year, Torres’ move to the senior team for the next six seasons marks the longest deal in the WorldTour, according to Wielerflits. His contract is only partially rivalled by Wout Van Aert’s recent signing with Visma-Lease a Bike, with the latter’s duration remaining unspecified beyond the end of his professional career.
In 2025, Torres will join UAE Team Emirates alongside three other new riders: Jhonatan Narvรกez from Ineos Grenadiers, Rune Herregodts from Intermarchรฉ-Wanty, and Florian Vermeersch from Lotto-Dstny. Mauro Gianetti, in a team press release, stated, “We remain a team dedicated to developing the talents of the future and we believe that Pablo Torres is a rider with the qualities to make the step-up to the World Tour. He is a young rider and the focus will be on his development both as a rider and as a person.”
Torres, in a conversation earlier this year with AS, shared insights into his journey to UAE Team Emirates. His former club in San Sebastian de los Reyes, a town just north of Madrid, maintained regular contact with UAE manager Joxean Fernandez Matxin. After examining his Training Peaks files and engaging in more detailed discussions, Matxin signed him for the Gen Z team. Torres expressed, “My dream is to be one of the best riders out there and Iโm going to do everything possible to get there. I like the fact that people believe in me, but it’s very early to know what kind of rider I can become and what level I can achieve.”
UAE Team Emirates have also extended the contract of all-rounder Marc Soler for an additional three years. A triple Vuelta a Espaรฑa stage winner, including at the renowned Lagos de Covadonga summit finish in the latest edition, the Catalan rider is frequently called upon for team support duties for Tadej Pogaฤar. Most recently, he assisted Pogaฤar in his successful effort to win the Tour de France for a third time this summer.
