Igor Arrieta set to stay at UAE Team Emirates - XRG - Giro d'Italia victory could see Spanish rider rewarded with new contract

Igor Arrieta has become one of the standout riders of the 2026 Giro d’Italia after his stunning stage win, a triumph that has strengthened his standing in the peloton and on the market. The 23-year-old Spaniard is out of contract at the end of this season, but already has a renewal offer from UAE Team Emirates on the table.

According to MARCA, talks between both parties began even before his victory at the Corsa Rosa. The Emirati squad wants to secure his services, and negotiations are expected to intensify once the Italian race ends. Although several WorldTour teams have shown interest, all signs suggest Arrieta’s priority is to remain within Matxin’s setup.

The win in Potenza marked a turning point for the rider from Navarre. Beyond opening his WorldTour palmarès, Arrieta has gained visibility and recognition within the international peloton, consolidating the progress shown over recent seasons.

His development has been steady since turning professional at the end of 2021 with Equipo Kern Pharma, after progressing through the Lizarte amateur structure. Under Juanjo Oroz, he moved step by step until attracting the attention of several top-tier teams. Ultimately, he chose to join UAE Team Emirates, a structure that invested heavily in him and now wants to keep him for the coming seasons.

The Emirati team has always viewed Arrieta as a long-term bet. Matxin’s outfit decided to sign him even at a difficult time, as he was recovering from a heavy crash at the Tour du Jura that caused significant facial injuries.

After three seasons with the team and experience across Grand Tours, including two starts at the Giro, Tadej Pogacar’s squad believes Arrieta still has room to grow and can become an important piece of the roster.

Both parties plan to meet once the Giro d’Italia finishes to try to finalise a deal. Although interest from other WorldTour teams is genuine, the most likely scenario today is for him to continue at UAE Team Emirates. His level at this year’s Giro has further strengthened Arrieta’s position on the market and confirmed that his upward trajectory remains intact at just 23 years of age.