UAE Team Emirates-XRG announces wave of rider contract renewals

UAE Team Emirates-XRG is pleased to announce a raft of rider contract renewals, with six members of the squad extending their journey with the team for the coming seasons.

Vegard Stake Laengen will continue through to the end of 2027, Felix Großschartner and Julius Johansen have signed until 2028, while Ivo Oliveira, Rui Oliveira and Domen Novak have all committed their futures to the team through to the end of 2029.

The renewals underline the team’s commitment to maintaining a strong and trusted core within the squad, combining experience and leadership with riders who continue to develop.

Few riders have been part of the UAE Team Emirates project for as long as Vegard Stake Laengen. The Norwegian has been with the team since its foundation in 2017 and has become one of the most trusted and respected figures within the group. A hugely experienced road captain, Laengen has played his part in some of the biggest victories in the team’s history, with his work often coming away from the spotlight. His extension through 2027 will take his association with the team beyond a decade.

 
Felix Großschartner has established himself as a key member of the team since arriving in 2023. The Austrian’s climbing ability, strength against the clock and consistency have made him a valuable presence across Grand Tours and stage races, where he has regularly played an important supporting role for the team’s leaders. At the same time, he has continued to deliver individually, including adding another Austrian national time trial title in 2026. His new deal will see him remain with the squad through 2028.

 
For Julius Johansen, the extension comes after a period of steady progression since joining UAE Team Emirates-XRG in 2025. The powerful Dane quickly found his place within the team as a dependable all-rounder, but his 2026 season has also seen him take a major step forward individually. Johansen has translated his strength against the clock into a string of victories, while continuing to provide valuable horsepower for his teammates across a wide range of races. His new contract runs until the end of 2028.

 
Portuguese twins Ivo and Rui Oliveira have grown alongside the team since joining in 2019. Both have developed into versatile and selfless members of the squad, bringing speed, strength and their track-honed racing instincts to everything from the Classics and sprint lead-outs to stage races.

Ivo has increasingly combined his work for the team with opportunities of his own, developing into a proven winner on the road particularly in the short TT and prologue disciplines. While Rui celebrated a particularly special milestone in 2026 with his first professional road victory at the Volta a Portugal. The brothers will remain in UAE Team Emirates-XRG colours through 2029.

 
Domen Novak has also left his mark in the team since joining in 2023. The Slovenian climber has consistently demonstrated his strength in the mountains and his willingness to work for the team, becoming a dependable presence in some of the toughest stage races on the calendar. A former Slovenian national champion, Novak’s experience and climbing pedigree have made him an important asset in the team’s Grand Tour and stage-racing groups, and his extension will keep him with UAE Team Emirates-XRG until 2029.

Together, the six renewals represent an important element of the team’s planning for the seasons ahead.