Davide Stella steps up to UAE Team Emirates-XRG WorldTour squad

UAE Team Emirates-XRG are pleased to announce the signing of Davide Stella from the UAE Team Emirates Gen Z development squad to the WorldTour team from the start of 2027, with the young Italian signing a three-year contract.

Stella’s signing represents another important success for the team’s Gen Z development pathway, which aims to provide promising riders with the environment and experience required to make the transition towards the highest level of professional cycling.

The Italian has demonstrated his potential across both road and track disciplines during his young career. Stella, a noted fast finisher, had a tough start to the season with a horrific crash sustained at the AlUla Tour in Saudi Arabia. After a long period of rehabilitation, he went on to make a successful comeback, which culminated in winning a stage at the Volta Portugal Futuro in May.

Since joining the Gen Z setup, Stella has continued to make important steps forward, gaining valuable experience and stints racing in support of the WorldTeam.His progression has now earned him the opportunity to make the full-time step into the WorldTour ranks.

Davide Stella: “This step up means so much to me. It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a kid, and making it a reality now gives me the chance to set new goals and chase even bigger dreams with the team.

“Coming up to the World Tour from the Gen Z team was always my ambition and I feel my time there provided me a great pathway to make the next step in my career. It’s been a tough season but I’ve worked hard to turn things around and I’m very thankful to all the great people around me and to the team for making this possible.”

Mauro Gianetti (Team Principal & CEO): “Davide is a rider we have followed closely through our Gen Z programme and we are pleased with the progression he has shown. He is still very young, so the priority will be to give him the time and space to continue developing, both as a rider and as a person.

“His promotion is another example of what we want to achieve with the Gen Z project: giving talented young riders a clear pathway towards the WorldTour team.”

The move continues UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s long-term commitment to developing young talent, with Stella following the pathway from the Gen Z squad into the professional ranks, following in the footsteps of Pablo Torres, Adrià Pericas and Luca Giaimi.