ANALYSIS: The historic UAE super squad aiming to surpass 100 victories in 2026

The 2026 season will once again inevitably revolve around Tadej Pogacar, the figure around whom the entire UAE Team Emirates - XRG project is built. The Emirati team has spent recent years constructing a structure fully focused on maximising the performance of its leader, and it has done so with an efficiency that reached historic heights in 2025. The team came close to 100 victories, creating a sense of dominance rarely seen in the history of cycling.

From Grand Tours to Classics, via week long stage races and everything else in between, the group demonstrated a versatility that is only possible thanks to exceptional squad depth, a massive budget and meticulous sporting planning.

The aim for 2026 is not to change a successful model but to strengthen it. The philosophy is clear. Maintain a solid and competitive core with the right mix of experience and youth, capable of supporting Pogacar in decisive moments while also shining across the calendar.

The squad wins not only because of individual talent, but because of the collective reliability it has shown time and again.

Within this core, several names stand out for the immediate future. One of them is Isaac del Toro, the breakout star of 2025. His ability to perform in mountain stages, Classics and stage races has made him one of the team’s most valuable assets. Despite his youth, his competitive maturity is striking and everything suggests he will continue growing into one of the peloton’s major references. Last year he came close to winning the Giro d’Italia, claimed stage races such as Austria and Burgos and dominated the Italian autumn Classics. The next question is whether he can collect more WorldTour victories.

Alongside him, Joao Almeida remains essential. The Portuguese rider has just completed one of the best seasons of his career, showing remarkable consistency in the mountains and a race reading ability that makes him indispensable in Grand Tours. His capacity to take responsibility, manage pacing and deliver in the third week is crucial for a team targeting the Giro or the Vuelta next year, as well as returning to his role as Pogacar’s key support rider at the Tour. After victories in races such as Itzulia and Switzerland, his goal for 2026 will be to keep progressing and prove that pushing Jonas Vingegaard so close at the Vuelta was no coincidence.

This strong nucleus is supported by a group of experienced riders who add depth, stability and the capacity to ride as domestiques or chase victories. Adam Yates, Pavel Sivakov, Marc Soler, Nils Politt and Tim Wellens form a luxury framework that gives UAE the ability to compete at the highest level across every terrain. Their role will be decisive in organising selections, controlling races and backing Pogacar on demanding days. UAE’s recent success cannot be explained without this elite support group that guarantees presence in every type of race.

The team has also made strategic signings to strengthen targeted areas. Benoit Cosnefroy arrives to boost punchy finishes and Classics depth, a terrain where UAE still had room to grow. His skill on short climbs and rolling routes makes him a valuable reinforcement capable of adding wins and offering options when Pogacar does not race.

Adria Pericas, promoted from the development team, represents a long term investment. His versatility and room for growth align perfectly with UAE’s philosophy of offering young riders opportunities within a highly supportive and demanding structure. For Pericas, 2026 will be a learning season but his inclusion in the main squad reflects the trust UAE has in his progression.

Kevin Vermaerke completes a crucial reinforcement for the mountains. Coming from Team Picnic PostNL, he brings WorldTour experience and a profile suited to working effectively on hard mountain stages. His role will be key in the second and third weeks of the Tour where mountain domestiques often decide the race.

Despite the exits, including Juan Ayuso’s move to Lidl Trek, UAE Team Emirates has managed to retain the essential structure of its project and reinforce specific positions without disrupting internal cohesion. The signings complement rather than destabilise the squad, which is vital for a team already functioning smoothly.

The goal for 2026 is ambitious but clear. Maintain dominance from start to finish. The Tour will again be the main target, with Pogacar as the undisputed leader and a group built to control every key stage. The Giro and the Vuelta will also feature prominently, with Almeida, Yates, Soler, Del Toro or Sivakov as potential leaders depending on the routes. In the Classics, Del Toro and Cosnefroy will have opportunities, while Pogacar will continue targeting Monuments and may even look towards first time victories at Milan San Remo or Paris Roubaix.

With a leader in his prime, young riders developing rapidly and high quality reinforcements in place, UAE approaches 2026 aiming to continue writing one of the most dominant eras in modern cycling.