The 123rd edition of the “Hell of the North” is upon us, and 2026 marks a turning point in the technical evolution of the cobblestone classic. With the men’s and women’s races now sharing the same day (Sunday, April 12), the pressure on mechanics is higher than ever.
The 2026 route features a brutal 54.8 km of pavé. While iconic sectors like the Trouée d’Arenberg remain, race director Thierry Gouvenou has increased the density of cobbles early in the race near Briastre, forcing teams to rethink their tire and pressure strategies for a more explosive opening.
In this UAE Team Emirates – XRG 2026 Team guide – The Pogačar Show & The New Colnago Y1RS, I break down the 2026 roster math, Tadej Pogačar’s Monument hunting schedule, and the aerodynamic tech behind the new Colnago Y1RS.
With the Spring Classics officially kicking off, there is no better time to drop the UAE Team Emirates – XRG 2026 Team Guide. While other squads spent the winter rebuilding, Mauro Gianetti’s outfit doubled down on absolute dominance.
But the off-season wasn’t without drama. The highly publicized departure of Juan Ayuso has fundamentally shifted the team’s internal politics, opening the door for the next generation of super-domestiques to step up.
This is the bike that flies. Tadej Pogačar’s Colnago Y1RS 2025 is built like a jet and rides like one too. It reminds me a bit of the old Kestrel 4000 LTD – that same fast-looking shape.
Tadej POGACAR – Tour de France 2025 – (c) A.S.O./Billy Ceusters
🛠 Aero Frame With Race-Ready Details
Up front you got the bayonet-style fork and that cool V-shaped cockpit. Even the Wahoo bike computer mount is 3D printed. Details, details, details.
The wheels? ENVE SES 4.5 Pro – pure speed. Paired with either Continental GP5000 TT TR (for max race day speed) or the new Archetype 30mm tires. Interesting thing: those Archetypes were made with Tadej and the UAE Team Emirates XRG, but he still picks the TT tires most days. Probably for the faster rolling and tighter aero profile in 28mm size.
That’s what sets the Tadej Pogačar Colnago Y1RS 2025 apart, it’s got race-winning tech in every detail.
This whole bike is like a wind-cheating machine.
Pogačar races with a Wahoo GPS, here’s the computer UAE Team Emirates uses.
Like Pogi’s V5Rs climbing bike, this one runs Shimano Dura‑Ace Di2 R9200 but swaps the stock chainrings for Carbon-Ti ones. Marginal gains? Yeah, world champ level.
Sprint shifters are added under the top of the handlebar, so he can click gears with hands on top of the bars.
Saddle? A 3D-printed Fizik Vento Argo Adaptive. Super custom.
The Tadej Pogačar Colnago Y1RS 2025 is always setup for flat-out racing.
Weight is around 7.57kg. Not the lightest, but that’s not the point. This is for speed. Flat stages. Fast terrain. Long hauls at high power. When climbing takes over, Pogi swaps to the lighter V5Rs.
Tadej Pogačar’s Colnago Y1RS Size M geometry chart as raced on Tour de France 2025 / Credit: DMCX
