Imagine being a rising star, already locked in with the top team in the world until 2030, yet still feeling like you have something to prove. That's the reality for Jan Christen, the young Swiss cycling talent signed with UAE Team Emirates-XRG. He's one of only four riders with this kind of long-term security, alongside Spanish teenagers Pablo Torres and Adrià Pericas, and the world champion, Tadej Pogačar. But even with a guaranteed future, Christen knows he needs to push himself to reach his full potential.
Christen's journey isn't just about the future; it's about the present. He's already secured two wins in 2025, and shown impressive results, including a second-place finish at the Clásica San Sebastián and a strong performance at the Tour of Poland. But setbacks, like illnesses and a broken collarbone, have slowed his progress.
But here's where it gets controversial... Christen believes the intense competition within UAE actually helps him. He sees it as a driving force, pushing him to be at his best. He knows he needs to convince the team he's ready to lead, just as much as he needs to perform on the road. After all, when the team has won nearly 100 races with 20 different riders in a single year, earning the chance to go for the win requires a lot of hard work.
"I think the competition is good because you push each other, that's the key of our team," Christen said. "We always have so many guys on the start line who can win the race, and you need to do all you can in the preparation so that the team knows and sees you have the best level. I think like this, we push each other a lot and get stronger to be at the race in the best shape possible."
Even with his long-term contract, Christen isn't content to simply ride out his time. He wants victories. In a recent race in China, while Jhonatan Narváez was the team's best-placed rider, Christen didn't rule out the team making strategic moves for a UAE win, not necessarily just a Narváez win.
"It's relaxing to be signed until 2030 in one way, but I also want to win races; however, it does give me a lot of confidence that the team has in me and the future with the team," Christen told Cyclingnews. "I don't know exactly how much shape is. I've raced a lot the last eight weeks, but with Jonny, we have the big favourite here, and also Felix [Großschartner] and I are in good condition. In the end, it's about playing our cards right and making sure one of us wins."
Looking ahead to 2026, Christen's exact goals will be set at the team's training camp. However, he's clear about his ambitions: to excel in one-day and one-week races and hopefully make his Grand Tour debut. He's particularly drawn to races like Flèche, Amstel, and San Sebastian.
And this is the part most people miss... The article was written by James Moultrie, a journalist with extensive experience covering cycling, including major races like Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d’Italia Donne. He's interviewed top riders and brings a wealth of knowledge to his reporting.
What do you think? Do you agree that internal competition is a positive force within a team? Or could it potentially hinder individual growth? Share your thoughts in the comments!
