What Is 2025 UAE Team Emirates XRG season

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2025 UAE Team Emirates XRG season refers to the team's inaugural campaign in the newly formed X Games Enduro Mountain Bike series. The team, an extension of the professional road cycling squad, will debut two riders—Loïc Bruni and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot—on <strong>March 15, 2025</strong>, at the Aspen, Colorado event. This marks UAE Team Emirates' first major expansion into off-road disciplines.

Key Facts

UAE Team Emirates XRG launched in January 2025 as a new mountain bike division
Loïc Bruni and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot are the team's first two signed athletes
The 2025 season begins March 15 in Aspen, Colorado with the X Games Enduro event
The team will compete in five X Games stops across North America and Europe
UAE's sponsorship extends through 2027 with a reported $12 million investment

Overview

UAE Team Emirates XRG marks a bold new direction for the Emirati-backed sports franchise, expanding beyond professional road cycling into the high-octane world of competitive mountain biking. The 2025 season represents the team’s official debut in the X Games Enduro series, sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and ESPN as part of a joint initiative to elevate off-road cycling.

Based in Abu Dhabi with satellite training facilities in Andorra and British Columbia, the team combines European technical expertise with Emirati investment. With a focus on Enduro and downhill racing formats, UAE Team Emirates XRG aims to dominate the new XRG circuit and promote mountain biking in the Gulf region.

Team launch date: The official unveiling occurred on January 10, 2025, during a press conference in Dubai, confirming the roster and sponsorship structure.
Initial roster: Features two elite riders—Loïc Bruni, a four-time World Champion in downhill, and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, a multi-discipline world title holder.
Season opener: The team’s first competitive outing is scheduled for March 15, 2025, at the X Games Aspen, featuring a technical Enduro course in the Rocky Mountains.
Technical partners: Bikes are supplied by Specialized Bicycles, with custom S-Works Enduro models equipped with Fox suspension and SRAM drivetrains.
Training base: Riders train year-round at the Whistler Mountain Bike Park in Canada, leveraging its varied terrain and high-altitude conditions.

How It Works

The X Games Enduro series blends timed downhill stages with untimed uphill transfers, testing both speed and endurance. Each race consists of multiple timed segments, with the rider’s total time determining final standings.

Format:Five timed stages per event, separated by untimed liaison sections; cumulative time determines podium finishers.
Scoring: Points are awarded based on finishing position, with the overall season champion crowned after five rounds.
Equipment: Riders use 29-inch enduro bikes with 160–180mm of travel, optimized for technical descents and moderate climbs.
Team support: Each rider is backed by a three-person crew including a mechanic, physio, and performance coach.
Qualifying: The fastest 20 riders from time trials advance to the final race day, while others compete in lower-tier heats.
Prize purse: The 2025 season features a total purse of $1.5 million, with $250,000 for the overall champion.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of UAE Team Emirates XRG against three major competitors in the 2025 season.

Team	Riders	First XRG Win	Sponsor	2025 Budget
UAE Team Emirates XRG	2	TBD	UAE Government & Emirates	$12M
Commencal Vallnord	4	2023	Commencal	$8M
Yeti Cycles	3	2022	Yeti & SRAM	$10M
Rocky Mountain	5	2021	Rocky Mountain Bikes	$9M
Trek Factory Racing	6	2020	Trek & Red Bull	$15M

The UAE Team Emirates XRG enters the 2025 season with a smaller roster but substantial financial backing, allowing for cutting-edge equipment and training infrastructure. While rivals like Trek Factory Racing have more riders, UAE’s focused strategy on elite talent may give them an edge in high-pressure events.

Why It Matters

The launch of UAE Team Emirates XRG signals a strategic shift in global cycling investment, highlighting the growing appeal of mountain biking in non-traditional markets. By entering a high-visibility series like X Games, the team boosts visibility for Emirati sports initiatives and inspires regional interest in off-road cycling.

Global exposure: The X Games are broadcast in 190 countries, offering unmatched visibility for UAE’s brand and sustainability messaging.
Youth engagement: The team plans to launch a junior academy in Dubai by mid-2025 to train young Emirati riders.
Technological transfer: Data from bike performance and rider analytics will inform future urban mobility projects in Abu Dhabi.
Gender equity: With equal pay and resources for male and female riders, the team sets a benchmark in sports equality.
Environmental focus: All team operations use carbon-neutral logistics, including electric transport and offset flights.
Regional growth: The team’s presence may catalyze the development of mountain bike trails in Oman and Saudi Arabia.

As the 2025 season unfolds, UAE Team Emirates XRG is poised to become a major player in competitive mountain biking, blending elite performance with strategic branding and regional development goals.