Cycling's ChatGPT? UAE Team Emirates confirmed to be among teams who use AI to better manage rider's training, recovery and tactics
Cycling
It is no exaggeration that 'modern cycling' is evolving at an extraordinary speed when it comes to it's use to technology as means of improving the rider's performances, training, nutrition, recovery and as many aspects of being a pro rider as possible. As 2025 begins, we learn that several teams are considering using AI in order to micro-manage rider's programs within World Tour teams and that there is a great belief that it can help riders' performances improve even further.
“We’ve been working for years with our partners in the UAE on our own data platform. It’s now getting to the stages that are really phenomenal. The capabilities are crazy. That’s where we’re heading at the moment. It’s in the process of being transformative,” Jeroen Swart, head of performance at the team, told Velo.
This is called 'Anna', a data bot the team is developing which could potentially have a big role in aiding coaches, nutritionists and sports directors at the top of the sport.
At the end of the day it shouldn't come as a major surprise, as many look to be always a step ahead of the competition in testing new technologies to try and have the upper hand on rival teams. UAE's success in 2024 is undeniable and the constant pursuit of performance gains is one that proves successful. How much of a role the use of aritificial inteligence can be at this point is a big question, but there may be answers soon.
Swart is tasked with being the head of performance in the Emirati team and that is currently a task that is quite demanding, as with it's budget and riders in the roster, the team has the pressure to perform at the very top level of the sport.
He explains exactly what the AI can assist with: “We have the ability that we can ask the AI for insights, and it’s giving back to us very unique answers. The hardest part now is thinking about what to ask. We’re getting the answers, but we need to know what the questions need to be, and unique questions that are not immediately obvious. So that’s really what we have to do now. Because we have the capability".
Furthermore, the team consider it's use when it comes to possible tactics to use in key days of it's calendar. “They brought up a 3D profile of one of the stages of the Tour. And then we could ask ‘Anna’ to show us how the race unfolded using little miniature cyclists".
“It could tell us key stories, particularly focusing on Tadej and the data it has on him. ‘Anna’ could show us how his performance was and how that unfolded in the race. So you get a narrative. That starts to give you insights that you didn’t necessarily pick up elsewhere. And I can do that in a matter of one minute, in any language in the world.”
Read also
Happy New Year from everyone at UAE Team Emirates - XRG! 🎉
— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamEmiratesUAE) December 31, 2024
✨ 2025 ✨ #WeAreUAE pic.twitter.com/yB2LgIsCDm
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Pidcock finished 9th place, 29 minutes down. he is a helluva rider, so gutsy. and he is amazing at all disciplines. but this headline is . . .mij09-11-2026
- I know, watch the video. and listen to her competitors. it was a tricky tacky call at best. WTF is this guy talking about??? my original comment was from the picture it didn't look like anything.mij09-11-2026
- I dunno what you're talking about. you make no sense. MS's competitor and the competitors coach said it was BS. she didn't deviate in a way that relegation should be required. revel LOL. you're so cool, in your own mind.mij09-11-2026
- deviation lol, watch the videomij09-11-2026
- the 'No different than women who follow and discuss celebs through gossip magazines' comment was unfortunately a bit off. didn't you just boast about your principles in the comments section of another article?Ketterechts08-11-2026
- Are you MrMauMau 2.0? Nothing you are saying is really relevant. Vaguely connected, but irrelevant. The conversation is whether Schreiber impeded Brand or not.
Rafionain-Glas08-11-2026 - He is boring
leedorney08-11-2026 - To Twoje przemyślenia te bla, bla :)
Dariusz08-11-2026 - Uwielbiam patrzeć, jak wyjeżdża na czoło peletonu i zaczyna się rzeź...Dariusz08-11-2026
- Yeah, unreal.
parisbound0008-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment