Belgian cobbled Classics specialist Florian Vermeersch and UAE Team Emirates-XRG have added several years to his current contract with the team, with his new deal set to run to the end of the 2029 season.
The news was first reported by Wielerflits, and then confirmed on Tuesday morning by the team.
"I’m really happy to continue with UAE Team Emirates-XRG for the coming years. Since joining the team, I’ve felt a lot of trust and support, which has allowed me to grow as a rider and take steps forward," Vermeersch said.
"We’ve already had some great results together, but I believe there is still a lot more to achieve both for me personally and for the team. Extending until 2029 gives me the stability to keep improving and chasing big goals. It feels like a special group of people here and I’m happy to be staying."
Third in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and E3 Saxo Classic this year, and a runner-up in Paris-Roubaix five years ago, Vermeersch has become a key support rider for Tadej Pogačar this spring, just when the squad suffered a blight of injuries amongst their team workers.
Vermeersch's stand-out performances included the Tour of Flanders on Sunday, where Pogačar roared home to a record-equalling third win, and Vermeersch finished seventh himself.
Present at all three of Pogačar's races to date this year, he will once again line up with the Slovenian when Pogačar fights for a third Monument out of three next weekend in Paris-Roubaix. Before Flanders, Pogačar named Vermeersch as a 'Plan B' for the team, and he will likely have this role again on Sunday, after taking fifth in Roubaix last year.
2026 is the 27-year-old's second season with UAE after he moved across from Lotto-Dstny, his first pro team, at the end of 2024. One major personal highlight of 2025 came in the autumn when he became Gravel World Champion.
Vermeersch reportedly could have been of interest to Alpecin-Premier Tech for 2027, but he has instead reportedly opted to remain at his current squad.
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