New Zealand young gun Finn Fisher-Black joins UAE Team Emirates

UAE Team Emirates and 19-year old New Zealand rider Finn Fisher-Black have put pen to paper on a deal to the end of 2024 which will see him join the squad immediately in his step up to the professional ranks.

New Zealand's Finn Fisher-Black during the 2019 UCI Road World Championships. Source: Press Association

Fisher-Black, is the current New Zealand Under-23 Time Trial Champion and despite his young age, has already made waves against elite competition this year, recently claiming 4th place overall in the Baloise Belgium Tour (2.Pro), behind winner Remco Evenepoel. He joins UAE Team Emirates immediately and is set to make his debut at the Ordizia Klasika (1.1) in Spain.

The young New Zealander had been riding with the Jumbo-Visma development squad, but ultimately went away from the Dutch-based team in his decision to sign with UAE.

“I’m really happy to be joining the UAE Team Emirates family,” said Fisher-Black. “With such a diverse group of riders & staff it makes for a really special atmosphere that I can see myself thriving in.

“Stepping up to World Tour & finding my level & rhythm will take time but I hope I can contribute to the team leaders & in time, bring home some nice victories along the way as well.”

UAE Team Emirates has sensationally made waves with young phenomenon Tadej Pogacar as well as other young stars, and see a similar potential for the young New Zealander.

“Finn is a very young rider with enormous talent,” said Mauro Gianetti (CEO & Team Principal for UAE Team Emirates).

“It’s no secret that our goal is to nurture young talents as we are doing with Pogačar, Bjerg, McNulty, Hirschi, Ayuso and so many others. We are building a team for the present but also for the future.”

Finn’s sister, Niamh Fisher-Black, already races in the Women’s WorldTour for SD-Worx, recently taking out the young riders category at the Giro Rosa, also placing ninth in the general classification as part of her squad’s domination of the overall standings.