UAE Team Emirates-XRG unveil squad for Giro D’Italia

UAE Team Emirates-XRG will head to the 108th Giro d’Italia sporting a team full of talent, led by the two-pronged attack of Adam Yates and Juan Ayuso in the mountains. Both riders have enjoyed fine seasons to date and will look to continue the Emirati squad’s magnificent record in the Corsa Rosa.

Last year, it was Tadej Pogačar who took UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s first Giro d’Italia title, building on João Almeida’s terrific third-place finish in 2023. The former claimed six remarkable stage victories on his way to sealing the maglia rosa, whilst Almeida became the latest in a list of riders to take stages for UAE Team Emirates-XRG a year prior.

Since Jan Polanc took the Emirati outfit’s first-ever Grand Tour stage win in 2017, the Slovenian’s success has been replicated by Fernando Gaviria (2019), Diego Ulissi (twice, 2020), Joe Dombrowski (2021), and Alessandro Covi (2022).

Aiming for more success this time out, Yates and Ayuso will be joined by a mighty stable of teammates, including former Giro stage winner Brandon McNulty. The American will be ably assisted by Igor Arrieta, Filippo Baroncini, Isaac del Toro, Rafał Majka, and Jay Vine. For Arrieta, this Giro will present his debut at a Grand Tour, whilst Ayuso, Baroncini and Del Toro will all be making their first appearances at the first Grand Tour of the season.

For Ayuso, the race presents a natural next step in his fledgling career. The Spaniard won the ‘Baby Giro’ back in 2021, where he was supported by Baroncini, and has twice finished inside the top four at the Vuelta a España. Now 22 years of age, Ayuso has enjoyed his best start to a season to date, with victories at the Faun Drôme Classic, Trofeo Laigueglia, Tirreno-Adriatico, and on stage 3 of the Volta a Catalunya.

As he prepares for his maiden tilt at the Giro d’Italia, the Spaniard is excited by the prospect.

Ayuso: “I’m really excited to start my first Giro D’Italia. It’s extra special because it’s a new race for me and having raced for an Italian team (Colpak) before I turned professional and winning the Baby Giro in 2021 I feel I have a special connection with Italy.

It’s been a great start to the year, with some special victories both for me personally and for the team. The goal is to keep that run and that spirit going for the Giro D’Italia. I think we have the strongest team in the race and  I feel that is our biggest strength. We have strong rivals in the GC, with Roglic in particular, but we are ready for the challenge. ”

For Yates, a return to the Corsa Rosa has been a long time in the making, with the British climber finishing ninth overall as a young rider some eight years ago. That year, the runner-up in the youth classification finished ed inside the top 10 across seven stages, and the now-32-year-old is looking forward to making his return. >Yates: “The Giro is one of the biggest races on the calendar and I can’t wait to get stuck-in. I’ve had a solid preparation period with the team at altitude, and I feel ready to take on the challenge. We’re coming in with big goals, and personally, I’m motivated to race hard and go for a good result. Between myself and Juan I think we should be able to have a good crack on the the GC and try to defend the title, and I’m looking forward to getting started in what I hope will be a very competitive three weeks.”

The full UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad for the Cosa Rosa is as follows:

– Igor Arrieta (Spa)

– Juan Ayuso (Spa)

– Filippo Baroncini (Ita)

– Isaac del Toro (Mex)

– Rafał Majka (Pol)

– Brandon McNulty (USA)

– Jay Vine (Aus)

– Adam Yates (GB)

The eight-strong team will be led by Sports Directors Fabio Baldato (Ita), Fabrizio Guidi (Ita), and Manuele Mori (Ita).

Before home roads welcome the trio in Italy, however, this year’s Giro d’Italia will host its Grande Partenza in Albania for the first time in history. The first three stages of the 108th Giro will take place in the Balkans, including an important 13.7km individual time trial on stage 2. Through the majority of the first week, hostilities will cease between the general classification contenders, before stage 9 presents an ode to Strade Bianche.

Finishing within the Piazza del Campo in Siena, made famous by the fan-favourite race, stage 9 features five sectors of the infamous white gravel roads inside the final 70km.

The following day, another test against the clock awaits, with stage 10 taking the shape of a 28.6km time trial.
As is traditional in the Giro, the final week of racing will prove the most difficult and ultimately decide the overall winner. After the Monte Grappa takes the Giro to searing heights at the end of the second week, stages 16 and 17 will not be for the faint-hearted, as the third week gets
underway with a bang.

On the penultimate day, the route is scheduled to include the Colle Delle Finestre, before heading to Sestrière for the finale of stage 20. Of course, the final stage will take in the usual lap of Rome and allow the hardy sprinters one more time for shine, whilst the winner of the Maglia Rosa will be crowned to much aplomb.
With big ambitions, a team raring to go and 37 victories already in the bank for 2025, UAE Team Emirates-XRG head to Italy full of confidence for the first Grand Tour of the campaign.