"It is exactly what I needed in my career": Kevin Vermaerke thrives at UAE after a departure from Picnic
Cycling
Team UAE Team Emirates - XRG have been unusually silent on the transfer market last winter as they have brought in only two new faces (alongside two development team promotions) ahead of the new season. Next to Benoit Cosnefroy, there has been the "rescue" of Kevin Vermaerke from a sinking ship that is Picnic PostNL at the moment. And as we'd expect, the American can't say a bad word about his new employer half-way through the 2026 season.
"It has been truly incredible. I am really very happy with my decision to go to UAE. It is a real breath of fresh air and I think that is exactly what I needed in my career," Vermaerke shared with In de Leiderstrui.
Naturally, the hierarchy is quite different at UAE as compared to Picnic, and the 25-year-old American needs to earn his stripes first before he can seek a protected role for himself. But at the few chances provided, he managed to capitalize three top-10 results, including a 4th place in the opening stage of Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes.
"I think I have also already made quite a few steps in terms of my level," the American climber continued. "I have been lucky enough to be part of a number of victories, also with Tadej and Isaac this year. I am very grateful for that."
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New-found motivation
Back at Picnic PostNL, Vermaerke was one of the team's key riders with a top-20 result at Vuelta a Espana or a 6th place at the Arctic Race of Norway. But after five seasons of seeing his team gradually move down the hierarchy of WorldTour teams, he felt the need for a fresh start in a team with different mentality.
According to Vermaerke, the biggest difference with the Dutch team is therefore the motivation. UAE are not chasing smaller goals like was sometimes the case at Picnic:
"When we come to races like this [Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes], we come to win and we have a plan. Everyone invests in that plan. You can therefore give a little extra when you are part of a bigger goal. I think that is very motivating. It is also something new for me, but something I am really enjoying so far."
More than a work-horse
So far in his new team, Vermaerke's main task was supporting Tadej Pogacar at Tour de Romandie and Isaac del Toro during the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, but many more opportunities should come from this point onwards.
"In the second half of the season, there will also be personal opportunities. I am looking forward to that as well. I am really enjoying myself so far and I am trying to make the best of it," he indicated.
UAE Team Emirates - XRG during the team presentation of Milano-Sanremo 2026
Initially, Vermaerke was on UAE's long-list for Tour de France, but since then, his schedule has been adjusted to be ready at Vuelta a Espana where the Emirati team will ride for Joao Almeida, but his teammates should enjoy a certain degree of freedom.
"First I am going to the American Championship, which is a big goal. After that, I will go to the Tour of Austria. Those are really the races where I am very motivated to go for a result myself, and to start winning. After Romandie and Dauphiné with Tadej and Isaac respectively, I am really motivated to go for a result of my own."
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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