News | Team • November 18, 2025
João Almeida commits his future to UAE Team Emirates–XRG until 2028
Portuguese rider extends long-term deal with the Emirati squad, after enjoying his best season to date
UAE Team Emirates–XRG is delighted to announce the contract renewal of João Almeida, who has extended his stay with the team until the end of 2028.
The Portuguese climber and Grand Tour contender joined the Emirati setup in 2022 and has since become a cornerstone of the team’s success, with standout performances across multiple seasons, including stage victories and podium finishes at both the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España, and a memorable stage win atop the Angliru earlier this year.
He has also played a key role in the Tour de France squad, helping the team to overall success in 2024 and 2025.
Almeida’s 2025 campaign was his best to date, with the 27-year-old taking overall victories at Itzulia Basque Country, the Tour de Romandie and the Tour de Suisse, the latter of which saw him pick off three stage victories along the way.
As his year drew towards its close, Almeida led the UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad that claimed a historic tally of seven stage wins at the Vuelta a España. There, he rode to second place in the general classification, marking his best Grand Tour finish to date.
Almeida’s consistency, intelligence, and resilience have established him among the most reliable GC riders in the peloton, and his extension underscores both his commitment to the team’s long-term ambitions and UAE Team Emirates–XRG’s belief in his continued growth.
João Almeida: “I’m really happy to be continuing my journey with UAE Team Emirates–XRG. From the very beginning, I’ve felt at home here – the environment, the professionalism, and the trust the team has given me have all helped me become a better rider.
“Over the past few seasons, we’ve achieved some big results together, but I still feel there’s a lot more to come.
“Extending my contract gives me the confidence and stability to keep building toward those goals. I have great teammates and staff around me, and I’m really motivated for what lies ahead. Together, I’m sure we can keep fighting for victories in the biggest races in the world.”
Almeida will now continue to spearhead UAE Team Emirates–XRG’s GC ambitions across Grand Tours and stage races as the team builds toward another ambitious campaign in 2026 and beyond.
