UAE Team Emirates-XRG confirm line-ups for Volta ao Algarve and Vuelta a Andalucía

With the UAE Tour in full swing, the rest UAE Team Emirates-XRG contingent will also be in action this week across two major early-season stage races, lining up strong and ambitious teams for both the Volta ao Algarve and the Vuelta a Andalucía.

The team heads to Portugal for the Volta ao Algarve, where João Almeida will lead the general classification ambitions on home soil.

The five-day race once again offers a balanced and selective parcours, featuring sprint opportunities, a summit finish at Alto da Fóia, and a decisive individual time trial around Vilamoura, a stage likely to prove decisive in the battle for overall victory.

Almeida will be supported by a strong Portuguese core, with Rui Oliveira and Ivo Oliveira racing on home roads. Brandon McNulty provides another GC option and key ally for the mountain stages and time trial, while the young, in-form contender António Morgado brings explosive potential for selective uphill finishes. Austrian climber Felix Großschartner adds further depth in the mountains, and Lorenzo Giami steps up from the Gen Z squad to gain valuable experience at this level.

The team will be guided by Sports Directors Simone Pedrazzini and Tomas Gil.

João Almeida:
“It’s a pleasure to be back racing in Portugal and with the home support. The Algarve always has a demanding course, especially with Fóia, the time trial and Malhao. We come with a balanced team and pretty high ambitions. The guys have shown already how strong they are going, so racing with such a strong group gives a lot of confidence. Valenciana was a good test and I was pleased with the podium result there.  Racing at home now this week gives me extra motivation, and we’re ready to fight for a good overall.”

Meanwhile in Spain, UAE Team Emirates-XRG will compete at the Vuelta a Andalucía, where reigning champion Pavel Sivakov returns to defend his title.

This year’s edition again features the race’s trademark undulating Andalusian terrain, with multiple medium-mountain stages and steep uphill finishes that reward climbers and punch riders.

Sivakov will be supported by a powerful squad including Tim Wellens, Jan Christen, and Benoît Cosnefroy, all well-suited to the rolling and explosive nature of the route. Julius Johansen, Vegard Stake Laengen, and Domen Novak round out the team with strength and experience across all terrains.

Sports Directors Fabio Baldato and Manuele Mori will oversee operations in Spain.