Future talent leaving UAE for Movistar? - Spanish team set to nab Giro Next Gen runner-up and bring him to WorldTour
Cycling
Movistar could be set to snatch one of UAE Team Emirates - XRG's brightest prospects Mateo Ramírez ahead of the 2027 season, as latest transfer speculation points towards the 20-year-old on being on the move after his impressive Giro Next Gen performance this month.
The Ecuadorian climber, in his second season with UAE's Gen Z development team, finished runner-up at the under-23's race. The performance confirmed his continued development after being called up to represent the WorldTour team at several races last year and finishing sixth at the Tour de l'Avenir - won by Paul Seixas.
Daniel Benson reports that Ramírez is highly likely to join Movistar at WorldTour level from 2027. Neither team has made an official announcement.
The transfer would represent a major coup for Movistar as the Spanish team capture an emerging general classification prospect. Being South American, and Spanish speaking, Ramirez could prove an excellent addition to their ranks.
UAE could lose Ramírez but keep Narváez
Meanwhile, one rider definitely not on his way out of the Emirati squad is Jhonatan Narváez. The Ecuadorian was rumoured to be leaving UAE Team Emirates - XRG and head back to Netcompany INEOS.
However the tables have been turned, and the Ecuadorian's success over the past month and a half has helped him make a decision on his future seasons. A departure would only come at a high value, after Narváez tremendous work around Tadej Pogacar in 2025 including Milano-Sanremo, the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the Tour de France.
With tremendous explosivity but also a never before seen capacity in the high mountains, Narváez became an incredibly valuable part of UAE.
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Hence, everything was done to secure his contract. “I’m very happy to extend my contract with UAE Team Emirates-XRG," Narváez said in a press release.
"From the moment I arrived, I felt the confidence of the team and I quickly knew this was the right place for me. We have an incredible group of riders and staff, and every day there is a real desire to improve and win together".
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- It doesnt take a genius to understand that Pogi is 1 level above and Pogi is younger that Jonas, so Jonas will not win under ordinary circumstances. Pogi has to crack hard for Jonas to win. It doesn't matter whether you defend Jonas or not , facts remain facts. Jonas himself says his numbers are better than 2022/2023, so Jonas is more or less optimized and we are just see the stochastic variation due to other factors. I think he will retire along with Pedersen in WC denmarkabstractengineer13-11-2026
- They only raced each other during the 2026 Tour, but here's a few metrics to look at. Stage 3 (Granollers to Les Angles): Pogačar won the stage, finishing 2 seconds ahead of Vingegaard (2nd). Del Toro finished 24 seconds behind Stage 6 (Pau to Gavarnie-Gedre / Col du Tourmalet): Pogačar won solo, Vingegaard finished 2nd (losing 2:38), and Del Toro finished 3rd (at +2:57, finishing 19 seconds behind Vingegaard). Here, Jonas Vingegaard outclimbed Isaac del Toro by 19 seconds on the mountain stageawp13-11-2026
- your clinging to the past. Jonas was dropped by del toro many times last year and jonas never managed a climbing numers del toro did in dauphine last year -entire year. Trend is also evident theres no discussion your living in the past, its beent he same with jonas for many years now and only developing, meanwhile del toro is rising and developing greatly. This is all obvious stuff and im not even a del toro fan. No point discussing numbers or this i suspect you dont watch much now but rather think its 2022 still cause this aint hard.miguel13-11-2026
- We can go through metrics if you like, Del Toro, who I do admire and support, is not on the same level as Jonas just yet. You will see that in early 2027 if they have any crossover races. I do hope they both race the Giro. You are correct though, Jonas is getting older and will not be able to hand on much longer. I see 2027 as a good year for him. Obviously behind Tadej though.awp13-11-2026
- What wins? Are you LA operating under a pseudonym?mij13-11-2026
- My point is this - Tadej, Remco, Seixas are all the outliers. Many riders don’t hit their peak until 28. It’s way too early to write him off. And the pogi slo guy that hates him - he’s also immature. Ayuso needs time.mij13-11-2026
- Then you need to use ur eyes or head if you have cause del toro already dropped jonas two times and beat him in tdf stages already this year.. Del toro climbed(dauphine) better numbers than jonas did all year too. So ur feelings and wishful thinking doesnt amtter del toro himself has already surpassed jonas infact just facts. Its also very evident for anyone objective that Jonas is declining alot, its just the truth and super obvious.miguel13-11-2026
- None of those victories stand, so there's that,wrsty13-11-2026
- No surprise there; it is British Sycling, yes, with an S
Rafionain-Glas12-11-2026 - I like Del Toro but he's not on the level of Jonas, by a large margin.awp12-11-2026
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