UAE Team Emirates has been to the fore in signing very young riders on long-term deals, even getting their names on contracts when they are still first-year juniors. But this time the Emirati-financed team has really pushed the envelope, signing 18-year-old Pablo Torres on a deal until 2030.
It is the longest defined-length contract in pro cycling, though Wout van Aert now has an opened deal with Visma-Lease a Bike, which continues to the end of his career, whenever that may be.
Spanish teenager Torres has competed with the UAE Gen Z development squad this year and now steps up to the World Tour team, after one year as an U23, for the next six seasons. He has really impressed on the climbs, and taken some fantastic results in fine style.
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Torres was 2nd overall at Tour de l'Avenir this year - behind Briton Joseph Blackmore - but it was the manner of his climbing during that race that really impressed. He set a new record on the Italian Apline climb of Colle delle Finestre, claiming the final stage atop that climb by 3:43 from Blackmore.
"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," said Mauro Gianetti, UAE Team Emirate boss. "He is a young rider and the focus will be on his development both as a rider and as a person."
Torres said he was very keen to progress and become one of the best riders in the world in the years ahead.
"My dream is to be one of the best riders out there and I'm going to do everything possible to get there," Torres said. "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."
