UAE Team Emirates have revealed their lineup for the upcoming Vuelta a Espana, which includes riders capable of fighting for both the overall classification and the sprints, led by João Almeida who will be a big candidate for the win.
Racing close to home, Almeida will try to get vengeance over his abandon at the Giro d'Italia - where a positive Covid-19 test took him out in the final week whilst fighting for the podium. His recent win at the Vuelta a Burgos indicates he is on strong form, and should be the sole leader for the team, one that however features more quality climbers.
Juan Ayuso, at only 19 years of age, will be making his Grand Tour debut. It was not expected that the Spaniard would already be doing a three-week race over this season, but the team have decided to have him, with a role that has not been cleared. The presence of Brandon McNulty could also signal further support, but also possible stage hunting or even a GC tilt from the American. Marc Soler and Jan Polanc will also be providing support in the mountains.
However the team will also give an opportunity to it's fast men, as Pascal Ackermann - recently a stage winner at the Tour de Pologne will be having the freedom to chase his own results. Juan Sebastián Molano will come in with a key leadout role, whilst Ivo Oliveira will also play an important support role for both the German and the Portuguese's ambitions.
UAE Team Emirates for Vuelta a Espana: João Almeida, Pascal Ackermann, Brandon McNulty, Juan Sebastián Molano, Ivo Oliveira, Jan Polanc and Marc Soler.
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)...
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- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
- the time for a GC rider to retire is when they cannot win stages, or have a significant level drop like from winner/podium into top 5/10 consistently. Roglic is still competitive and Froome raced even though he became pack fodder.abstractengineer10-11-2026
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The final grand tour of the year is upon us. Here’s our line-up for #LaVuelta22 🇪🇸: 🇩🇪 @Ackes171 🇵🇹 @JooAlmeida98 🇪🇸 @juann_ayuso 🇺🇸 @BrandonMcNult 🇨🇴 @sebasmolano_ 🇵🇹 @IvOliveira96 🇸🇮 @PolancJan 🇪🇸 @solermarc93 #UAETeamEmirates #WeAreUAE
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